Metal AM Build-to-Part Workflow¶
Scaffold
This MicroSim has been scaffolded from its specification. The interactive implementation has not been built yet.
Learning Objective¶
Recall and sequence the steps from metal powder to finished metal part in industrial AM (Bloom L1–L2: recall, sequence, summarize).
- Bloom Level: TBD
- Bloom Verb: TBD
- Library: vis-network
Preview¶
Specification¶
The full specification below is extracted from Chapter 2: AM Standards, Process Families, and Industrial AM.
Type: interactive-infographic
**sim-id:** metal-am-workflow<br/>
**Library:** vis-network<br/>
**Status:** Specified
**Learning objective:** Recall and sequence the steps from metal powder to finished metal part in industrial AM (Bloom L1–L2: recall, sequence, summarize).
**Description:** A horizontal left-to-right workflow diagram using vis-network showing the complete production sequence for a DMLS metal part. Seven sequential nodes connected by directional arrows:
1. **Powder Preparation** — Sieving, moisture control, recycling assessment
2. **Build Setup** — Support design, orientation, slicing, atmosphere purge
3. **DMLS Build** — Layer-by-layer laser melting in inert atmosphere
4. **Build Plate Removal** — Wire EDM or band saw separation
5. **Stress Relief** — Furnace anneal cycle with temperature/time profile
6. **Support Removal + Machining** — CNC finishing of critical surfaces
7. **Quality Inspection** — CT scanning, dimensional metrology, surface roughness
**Interactions:** Clicking any node opens a detail panel showing:
- Step name and description (2–3 sentences)
- Typical equipment used
- Key quality control check at this step
- Typical duration or processing time
- "What goes wrong here?" — one common failure mode and its remedy
Hovering any arrow shows a tooltip describing what changes between the two steps (e.g., "Part separates from build plate but residual stress remains").
**Layout:** Horizontal chain with nodes at equal spacing; detail panel appears below the diagram.
**Canvas:** 750 × 200 px for diagram + 200 px for detail panel = 400 px total height, responsive.
**Colors:** Each step node in a sequential warm-to-cool gradient (orange → yellow → green → teal → blue → indigo → violet) to reinforce the concept of progression.