Optimization and Simulation of SLM Process for High Density H13 Tool Steel Parts

Publication date: 2016 Source:Physics Procedia, Volume 83 Author(s): Petri Laakso, Tuomas Riipinen, Anssi Laukkanen, Tom Andersson, Antero Jokinen, Alejandro Revuelta, Kimmo Ruusuvuori This paper demonstrates the successful printing and optimization of processing parameters of high-strength H13 tool steel by Selective Laser Melting (SLM). D-Optimal Design of Experiments (DOE) approach is used for parameter optimization of laser power, scanning speed and hatch width. With 50 test samples (1×1×1cm) we establish parameter windows for these three parameters in relation to part density. The calculated numerical model is found to be in good agreement with the density data obtained from the samples using image analysis. A thermomechanical finite element simulation model is constructed of the SLM process and validated by comparing the calculated densities retrieved from the model with the experimentally determined densities. With the simulation tool one can explore the effect of different parameters on density before making any printed samples. Establishing a parameter window provides the user with freedom for parameter selection such as choosing parameters that result in fastest print speed.

Source: Physics Procedia - September 17, 2016 Category: Physics Source Type: research