**6. Results and discussion**

The results obtained from FLOW 3D AM can be analyzed using simple rendering in the program itself or can be further post processed using their FLOW 3D POST

*Multiscale Modeling Framework for Defect Generation in Metal Powder Bed Fusion Process… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104493*

package. It is necessary to include/activate the required outputs whilst setting up the simulation, so that it is easier to post process. After completion of simulations, usually the flsgrf.melting files are rendered and used in further post processing. As we have several cases in the DOE, we are only discussing a few sample cases in this paper due to limitation of space.

In **Figure 10**, we are attempting to provide a visualization of how the laser moves starting at the left side and the temperature distribution changes with time. We are including only 6 sample timesteps to demonstrate the progress. In **Figure 10(a)**, we capture the time step at t = 0.000005 s. The progression occurs through **Figure 10(d)**, at t = 0.000305 s, where the laser has reached the end with melt pool at highest temperature. Moving further in time, on **Figure 10(e)** at t = 0.0004 s, we can see the melt pool gradually is cooling off. This is clearly visible at the right.

Next, in **Figure 11**, the 2D cross section (X-Z plane) is presented on progressive time step, from top to bottom. Only few timestep captures are only provided here for ease of conception. Important feature to notice here is in such a 2D view, we can easily identify the voids or porous structures that are left behind during the melting process. With this knowledge we can further investigate to correlate these to defect generation and thus optimize process parameters accordingly. In this technique, studying the microscopic density, energy density etc. will also contribute profoundly and these spatio-temporal data are also available.
