Optimization of Surface Roughness and Density of Overhang Structures Fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion.

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) provides a rapid and versatile approach for producing parts with complex geometries. However, many parts with intricate geometries have overhang structures, which are not easily fabricated by using LPBF and are often downgraded by staircase effects, warpage, cracks, and dross formation. Thus, the present study proposes a combined numerical and experimental approach for determining the optimal settings of the laser power and scanning speed that minimize the surface roughness and maximize the density of Inconel 718 LPBF overhang structures.

Air Permeability of Maraging Steel Cellular Parts Made by Selective Laser Melting.

Additive manufacturing, such as selective laser melting (SLM), can be used to manufacture cellular parts. In this study, cellular coupons of maraging steels are prepared through SLM by varying hatch distance. Air flow and permeability of porous maraging steel blocks are obtained for samples of different thickness based on the Darcy equation.