Search
Menu
Gentec Electro-Optics Inc   - Measure With Gentec Accuracy LB

Fine-Tuning Additive Manufacturing for High-Density Parts

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
LIVERMORE, Calif., June 17, 2014 — A new approach to selective laser melting (SLM) could alleviate long-standing challenges in additive manufacturing of high-density metal parts.

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and its Accelerated Certification of Additively Manufactured Metals Strategic Initiative used computer simulations to gain better insight into the SLM process and refine process parameters such as laser power and speed, distance between laser scan lines and scanning strategy. The study focused on 316L stainless steel, although the researchers said this new method could also be applied to other metal powders.

“We mine the simulation output to identify important SLM parameters and their values such that the resulting melt pools are just deep enough to melt through the powder into the substrate below,” said Chandrika Kamath, a researcher at LLNL who led the study.

SLM produces 3-D parts layer by layer by fusing particles of metal powder with high-energy laser beams. Some applications require parts that are very dense because pores and voids are typically the weakest part of the material.

The study’s findings will be used to certify properties of metal parts that are built using SLM, according to the researchers.

The research was published in the International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing (doi: 10.1007/s00170-014-5954-9).

For more information, visit www.llnl.gov.
CASTECH INC - High Precision CNC Polished Aspherical Lenses

Published: June 2014
Glossary
additive manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, is a manufacturing process that involves creating three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer. This is in contrast to traditional manufacturing methods, which often involve subtracting or forming materials to achieve the desired shape. In additive manufacturing, a digital model of the object is created using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and this digital model is then sliced into thin cross-sectional layers. The...
selective laser melting
Selective laser melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technology that belongs to the powder bed fusion category. SLM is primarily used for metal additive manufacturing, where complex three-dimensional structures are built layer by layer by selectively melting metal powder particles using a high-powered laser. Key features of selective laser melting include: Powder bed fusion: SLM is a powder bed fusion process. It starts with a thin layer of metal powder spread...
3-Dadditive manufacturingAmericasCaliforniaindustrialLasersLawrence Livermore National LabLLNLMaterialsResearch & Technologyselective laser meltingSLMChandrika KamathTechnology News

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.