Low thermal expansion machine frame designs using lattice structures

Juasiripukdee, Poom; Maskery, Ian; Ashcroft, Ian; Leach, Richard

Abstract

In this work, we investigated tessellating cellular (or lattice) structures for use in a low thermal expansion machine frame. We proposed a concept for a lattice structure with tailorable effective coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The design is an assembly of two parts: a lattice outer part and a cylindrical inner part, which are made of homogenous materials with different positive CTEs. Several lattice design variations were investigated and their thermal and mechanical performance analysed using a finite element method. Our numerical models showed that a lattice design using Nylon 12 and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene could yield an effective in-plane CTE of 1 × 10−9 K−1 (cf. 109 × 10−6 K−1 for solid Nylon 12). This paper showed that the combination of design optimisation and additive manufacturing can be used to achieve low CTE structures and, therefore, low thermal expansion machine frames of a few tens of centimetres in height.

Citation

Juasiripukdee, P., Maskery, I., Ashcroft, I., & Leach, R. (2021). Low thermal expansion machine frame designs using lattice structures. Applied Sciences, 11(19), Article 9135. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11199135

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 24, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 30, 2021
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 4, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 4, 2021
• Journal: Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
• Electronic ISSN: 2076-3417
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 19
• Article Number: 9135
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/app11199135
• Keywords: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes; Computer Science Applications; Process Chemistry and Technology; General Engineering; Instrumentation; General Materials Science
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/6390246
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/19/9135