Product Code: ICAL06_1805

Parametric Analysis of Selective Laser Melting Technology
Authors:
I. Yadroitsev, ENISE; Saint-Etienne Cedex 2 France
BERTRAND Philippe, ENISE; Saint Etienne France
I. Smurov, ENISE; France
Presented at ICALEO 2006

Selective laser manufacturing (SLS/SLM) is applied for manufacturing 3D objects from different powders (Inox 904L, Ni625, Cu/Sn, W). Experiments were carried out on a PHENIX PM100 machine (50 W fibre laser, volume of fabrication: a 250mm diameter by 300mm height cylinder. Width of laser sintered line from Inox 904L powder on metallic substrate was studied applying different laser power P and beam velocity V (V=60-240mm/s) keeping effective energy input constant P/V. Accuracy applying different laser power and sintering velocity was studied. Critical beam velocity is defined. Several sintering strategies were compared: (a) four different orientations of beam displacement "vectors" relatively given geometry, (b) variation of distance between scanning lines, (c) application of different strategies to fabricate internal and external parts of an object. Performances and limitations of different strategies are analysed: accuracy of fabrication, porosity, micro hardness. Long term stability of SLM process was controlled by fabrication of thin walled objects during 36 hours. Finally the developed technology was applied for fabrication of parts for mechanical (mini pomp), medical (dental prosthesis, implants) and bio-medical (diagnostic equipment) applications. The last part of the work was oriented for multi-material products manufacturing. Bi-material object (Stainless steel /Cu) with good material interface were fabricated.