Analyze the Results

Review the von Mises stresses and the distortion in the printed part after removing the build tray and supports. Compare those results with the printed and the annealed bridge part.

We expect relatively high stress and some distortion in the completed part and reduced stress after annealing.

  1. When the simulation completes, close the Simulation Status dialog box.
    The solved simulation opens in Physics Results Explorer. The app displays a contour plot of von Mises stresses for the printed part after removing the build tray and the supports, as shown below.

  2. From the Plots dialog box, select Static Step_Build as Step.
    The von Mises stresses after printing the bridge part are displayed.

  3. From the Plots dialog box, select Static Step_Annealing as Step.
    The von Mises stresses after annealing the printed bridge part and the build tray are displayed.

    The maximum von Mises stress after annealing is 1.84 GPa; the maximum before annealing was 2.11 GPa. This shows a 13% reduction in stress.

    The maximum von Mises stress after removing the build tray and the supports is 0.85 GPa; the maximum before annealing was 2.11 GPa. This shows more than a 50% reduction in stress.

  4. From the Plots dialog box, select Static Step_Remove_Support as the Step, and select Displacement.1 as the Plot.
    The distortion caused on the edges of the printed part are displayed after removing the build tray and supports.

  5. To review the displacement (distortion) of the printed part, do the following:
    1. From the Plots section of the action bar, click X-Y Plot from Field .
    2. Name the plot Displacement_Plot.
    3. From the Support options, select Node sets, and select Deflection.
    4. From the Template options, select Displacement.
    5. Click OK.
      The graph below shows the distortion trend of the corner nodes for the printed part.

    6. From the X-Y Plot Viewer, select Customize plot, charts, curves and axes .
    7. From the Item section of the Options, select the Axis.
    8. Enter 45100 for Max, and 44750 for Min, and click X-Y Plot Viewer.
      The graph below shows the distortion of the corner nodes during the last two static steps.

    The final distortion of the edges of the printed parts is < 0.9 mm.
  6. Save your work.

Congratulations, you have successfully completed this example!