Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 7.5
Principle of Selective Laser beam Melting (SLM). Courtesy of Layerwise
7.3
Selective Laser Melting of Metal Powder
Selective laser melting (SLM) is closely related to selective laser with photosensitive
monomers (e.g., acrylates) and known as SLA. It is discussed in Sect.
7.4
.
Machine Layout
A plateau (
Build cylinder
in Fig.
7.5
) is covered with a fine layer of metal, ceramic
or polymer powder by the
Roll
rolling over the
Feed container
. Subsequently, the
focused laser beam melts or sinters the powder. The
position of the focused laser
beam is determined by the
Mirror scanner
. The latter is computer monitored in such
a way that one
xy
xy
slice through the digitalized device is drawn on the plane of the
Build cylinder
.
After finishing the first slice, the
Build cylinder
is lowered by the thickness of one
slice and the next slice is processed and so on till the whole device is manufactured
(Layerwise!).
Performance
The accuracy of a finished product in Ti6Al4V is about 60
m decreasing with the
size of the object, a value which is comparable to conventional not-too-demanding
machining. The density is almost 100%. The mechanical properties are often better
