Beam shaping to tackle laser powder bed fusion challenges

Abstract

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM), a term synonymous with the future of fabrication, has revolutionized industries by offering unparalleled flexibility in design and production. At the heart of this transformative technology is laser‐based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF‐LB/M), the process with the highest geometrical resolution having the largest market share (86 %, Wohlers) amongst all AM processes. By selectively melting and fusing powder material layer by layer with a laser, PBF‐LB/M enables the creation of complex and high‐strength components, previously unthinkable with traditional subtractive manufacturing methods.