Abstract
In the field of metal additive manufacturing (AM), one of the most used methods is selective laser melting (SLM)—building components layer by layer in a powder bed via laser. The process of SLM is defined by several parameters like laser power, laser scanning speed, hatch spacing, or layer thickness. The manufacturing of small components via AM is very difficult as it sets high demands on the powder to be used and on the SLM process in general. Hence, SLM with subsequent micromilling is a suitable method for the production of microstructured, additively manufactured components. One application for this kind of components is microstructured implants which are typically unique and therefore well suited for additive manufacturing. In order to enable the micromachining of additively manufactured materials, the influence of the special properties of the additive manufactured material on micromilling processes needs to be investigated. In this research, a detailed characterization of additive manufactured workpieces made of AISI 316L is shown. Further, the impact of the process parameters and the build-up direction defined during SLM on the workpiece properties is investigated. The resulting impact of the workpiece properties on micromilling is analyzed and rated on the basis of process forces, burr formation, surface roughness, and tool wear. Significant differences in the results of micromilling were found depending on the geometry of the melt paths generated during SLM.
Highlights
Additive manufacturing (AM) is becoming more and more established in industrial applications
In order to link the influence of additively manufactured workpieces on micromilling, the following section is divided into the characterization of the AM workpieces and the results of micromilling
Regarding the burr formation, differences caused by varying feed direction and machined material are apparent when machining AM workpieces
Summary
Additive manufacturing (AM) is becoming more and more established in industrial applications. The extended freedom of design of additively manufactured components is combined with a tool-less and near-net-shape production [1]. The process parameters used during SLM have a large impact on the material properties of the additively manufactured workpieces [5]. The balling effect may occur as a result of a too high surface tension of the melt in relation to the scanning speed. This results in an unstable melt path, where the powder is not completely melted and is welded onto the surface in a spherical shape [6]
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More From: The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology
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