Trajectory Planning and Verification for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing of 316L Stainless Steels

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-132X.2026.06.005

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate WAAM trajectory planning， an automotive hub possessing multiple nodes was selected as a representative complex structure fabricated from 316L austenitic stainless steels. Initially， based on predetermined layer overlap ratios and overlap coefficients， the hub specimen model was decomposed into diverse grid structures characterized by thin walls and varying thicknesses； these structures were subsequently simplified at nodes to form an Euler circuit. An optimized deposition path was then derived by applying Fleury's algorithm in conjunction with Euler circuit theory， while a composite path filling strategy was implemented to plan the inter-layer filling patterns. Finally， the rationality of the trajectory planning methodology was validated through comparative analysis involving infrared thermometry across different layers and real-time imaging tracking of the arc and droplet transfer behaviors. The results demonstrate that the 316L austenitic stainless steel WAAM deposit， produced using the Fleury's algorithm-based trajectory plan， exhibits good geometric formation； furthermore， no localized filling defects occurred under the composite filling approach. Notably， the arc-active phase constitutes 70.62% of the total process duration within the planned path， effectively avoiding cross nodes， and the number of arc extinctions is reduced by two instances compared to scenarios lacking trajectory planning. The thermal histories exhibite similarity across layers， and the molten pool transition behavior remaines essentially consistent for each layer， collectively indicating the fundamental soundness of the adopted trajectory planning method.

Key words: wire arc additive manufacturing（WAAM）, trajectory planning, Euler circuit, composite path filling, droplet transfer

摘要：

选择具备多节点的典型复杂结构的316L奥氏体不锈钢汽车轮毂为对象开展电弧增材制造轨迹规划研究。首先在确定层重叠率和搭接系数的基础上，将车轮毂试件模型分解为多类薄壁及厚度的网格结构，并进行节点简化构成Euler回路；然后通过Fleury算法结合Euler回路理论得到优化的路径，同时采取复合路径填充方法规划了层间填充方式。最后通过不同层间的红外测温以及实时电弧与熔滴过渡的图像跟踪的对比验证了轨迹规划方法的合理性。结果表明，基于Fleury算法的轨迹规划所获得的316L奥氏体不锈钢电弧增材沉积件成形良好，复合填充方法下未出现局部填充不足的缺陷；规划路径中的电弧作用阶段占总过程的70.62%，有效避免了节点交叉，且熄弧次数比未规划时减少2次。层间温度历程相似，且每层的熔池过渡基本一致，说明所采用的轨迹规划方法基本合理。

关键词: 电弧增材制造, 轨迹规划, Euler回路, 复合路径填充, 熔滴过渡

CLC Number:

TG444

LI Huan, GAO Zhenze, ZENG Caiyou, WANG Leilei, LI Yinyin, ZENG Yun. Trajectory Planning and Verification for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing of 316L Stainless Steels[J]. China Mechanical Engineering, 2026, 37(6): 1318-1324.

李欢, 高振泽, 曾才有, 王磊磊, 李银银, 曾云. 316L不锈钢电弧增材制造轨迹规划与验证[J]. 中国机械工程, 2026, 37(6): 1318-1324.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1 WAAM system and specimens

Tab.1 Chemical composition of ER316L wire （mass fraction）

w（C）	w（Si）	w（Mn）	w（S）	w（Cu）
0.02	0.52	1.73	0.01	0.12
w（P）	w（Cr）	w（Ni）	w（Mo）	w（Fe）
0.02	18.70	11.70	2.28	余量

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of path overlap and adjacent deposition［12］

Fig.3 Wheel hub profile model and simplified model

Fig.4 Construction Euler circuit in simplified model

Fig.5 Flowchart for WAAM trajectory planning

Fig.6 Wheel hub feature region filling method planning

Fig.7 Schematic diagram of verification method for WAAM

Fig.8 Trajectory planning illustration

Fig.9 Thin-walled additive manufactured part with a regular pentagon inscribed in a circle

Fig.10 Additive manufactured component conforming to the feature regions of the wheel hub

Fig.11 Additive temperature of simplified wheel hub model

Fig.12 Interlayer molten pool morphology at different layers

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