Group 12-13 '15

What is Selective Laser Melting?

 

• An addictive manufacturing process

 

• Uses 3D computer-aided design (CAD) data as a digital information source

 

• Uses a high-powered laser beam to create 3 dimensional metal parts by fusing the melted fine metal powders together

 

 

Customisation & Personalisation

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• 3D printing allows for very detailed customization to suit one’s preferences and likings.

   

• Individual needs can be catered to without affecting production cost.

   

• Spectacles can be printed according to the facial features of the customer.

How Is It Done?

 

• Uses 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) data as a digital information source.

 

• Thin layers of atomized fine metal powder are evenly distributed using a coating mechanism onto a substrate plate that is fastened to an indexing table that moves in the vertical (Z) axis.

 

• Each 2D slice of the part geometry is fused by selectively melting the powder.

 

• Accomplished with a high-power laser beam directed in the X and Y directions

 

• High-power laser beam is used - its energy is intense enough to permit full melting (welding) of the particles  which fuse and solidify to form a layer of the component

 

• The process is repeated layer after layer until the part is complete.

 

Advantages of SLM