Cool Down

Cool down relates to the AM groups that involve thermal energy (heat) as part of the forming process.

These being:

**Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)**

**Directed Energy Deposition (DED)**

**Material Deposition (excluding Paste Deposition)**

Respecting the technologies' cool down protocols are important in order to prevent parts suffering thermal shock which causes uncontrolled distortion and shrinkage.

Cool down time must always be factored into AM production rates and should be considered a part of the entire build time. For instance, some Powder Bed Fusion technology recommends cool down times that match the build time, thus halving the aparent production rate.