Use of track/layer morphology to develop functional parts by selective laser melting

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a powder-based additive manufacturing capable to produce parts layer-by-layer from a 3D computer-aided design model. Currently, there is a growing interest in industry for applying this technology for generating objects with high geometrical complexity. To introduce SLM process into industry for manufacturing real components, excellent mechanical properties and high functionality of final product must be achieved. Properties of the manufactured parts depend strongly on each single laser-melted track and each single layer, as well as the strength of the connections between them. In this study, effects of the processing parameters such as hatch distance, layer thickness, laser power, scanning speed on surface morphology, and surface texturing are analyzed. (C) 2013 Laser Institute of America.