A systematic study on numerical simulation of electrified jet printing

• Published in: Additive manufacturing 2017-12, Vol.18, p.15-21
• Main Authors: Rahmat, A., Koc, B., Yildiz, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electrohydrodynamics (EHD); Jet printing; Multiphase flows; Numerical simulation; VOF model
• ISSN: 2214-8604; 2214-7810
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addma.2017.08.004

•A systematic approach on the numerical simulation of electrified jet printing is studied.•Three dimensionless parameters (Reynolds, Electro-Weber and Weber) are introduced to consider the effects of various parameters.•Increase in the Reynolds and Electro-Weber numbers yield in the formation of a narrower printing jet.•Further increase in Reynolds and Electro-Weber numbers result in the formation of an unstable printing jet. In this paper, a numerical model based on a systematic study of electrified jet printing is presented. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method which suits for modeling multiphase flows with a continuous interface is used. The surface tension force is calculated with the Continuum Surface Force (CSF) method and the electric forces are added to the momentum equation by taking the divergence of the Maxwell stress tensor. A systematic study is carried out by introducing three dimensionless numbers, namely Reynolds, Electro-Weber and Weber numbers. Employing these dimensionless numbers, the number of effective parameters is reduced, and a relative comparison of the importance of competing forces on the process becomes possible. It is observed that the electric forces contribute to the formation of the jet by acting on its tip, and by pulling the jet towards the deposition surface. The results show that an increase in Reynolds and Electro-Weber numbers both lead to form a thinner jet. It is also observed that further increase in Electro-Weber and Reynolds numbers leads to the formation of an unstable jet.