Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory demonstrates

“unparalleled” selective laser melting technique of 3D printing
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Researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have released a paper detailing a new method of metal 3D printing. The method is based on the selective laser melting (SLM) technique of fusing metal powders together to make a 3D object. In the conclusion, authors state that further exploration of the technique has “the potential to revolutionize” the metal additive industry.

An impeller rotor part 3D printed using the LLNL DiAM process. Photo via LLNL, Optics Express

Challenges to selective laser melting

In typical selective laser melting, a scanning beam draws consecutive layers of metal by creating a melt pool of the material. Accurate control of this method is difficult to achieve as it requires the plotting of, often multiple, lasers, and consistent maintenance of specific build-chamber conditions. Unmelted powder can also find its way into the melt pool, leaving defects in the finished part that would lead to mechanical failure.

Because of this instability, much research in the field of metallurgy is looking for ways to improve the process, as in projects conducted at the University of Birmingham’s AMPLab and discussed by lab director Professor Moataz Attallah in an interview for 3D Printing Industry.

Work at institutions such NIST is also addressing the need to understand build chamber metrology.

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