Product Code: ICAL06_M607

The Role of Fibre Lasers in Selective Layer Melting Process
Authors:
John Tinson, SPI Lasers; Southampton Great Britain
Presented at ICALEO 2006

Rapid prototyping has evolved from polymer form and fit components to fully functional metallic form, fit and functional parts. Advances in build speeds and fill density as well as the creation of titanium, stainless, aluminum and cobolt chrome powders has taken laser based rapid prototyping fully into the realms of tool free rapid production. This paper presents new results, with the fiber laser enabling better surface finish and fill density. Equipment, materials and applications associated with this process are presented, and the laser attributes required to deliver high quality rapid manufactured parts are considered in detail.