SHAPE AND SIZE ACCURACY OF 3D-PRINTED AlSi12 PARTS

Abstract

This paper maps the topic of complex part production using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology. During the pre-processing part of the building process, it is crucial to choose the most suitable orientation of the model towards the building plate. It can be said that proper part placement can reduce the amount of support structures and the risk of model bending and following damage due to large thermal gradients. For this purpose, special specimens were printed on SLM280HL machine out of AlSi12 powder under different orientation towards the building plate and with different types of support structures. After finishing the building process, the influence of above described parameters to size and shape of the final product were evaluated. Accuracy of the final products was assessed thanks to contactless 3D scanner ATOS. Results of the work clearly show that if the model is positioned in such a manner that the least energy and thus heat generation is introduced into each layer, the lower the deformation of final part is.