The secret of rapid melting and solidification of metal powder by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology
Release Time : 2024-10-31
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, as an important means of additive manufacturing of metal materials, is unique in that it can use high-energy laser beams to achieve rapid melting and solidification of metal powder. The realization of this process not only depends on the high energy density of the laser, but also depends on precise control systems and optimized material selection.
In the SLM process, metal powder is evenly spread on the printing platform to form a thin layer of powder bed. Subsequently, under the control of a computer, the high-energy laser beam scans the powder layer layer by layer according to the preset three-dimensional model data. At the focal point of the laser beam, the metal powder quickly absorbs the laser energy, and the temperature rises sharply to above the melting point, thereby achieving rapid melting.
After the laser beam leaves, the melted metal powder quickly cools and solidifies. In this process, the melting and solidification of the metal powder are extremely fast, usually occurring in milliseconds. Due to the extremely fast cooling rate, the solidified metal structure has the characteristics of fine grains and high density, thus ensuring the high strength and good mechanical properties of the printed part.
In order to achieve rapid melting and solidification of metal powder, SLM technology also adopts a layer-by-layer stacking method. After each layer of metal powder is melted and solidified, the printing platform will drop to a certain height, and then spread a new layer of powder to continue the next round of laser scanning. In this way, layer by layer, a complete three-dimensional metal part is finally constructed.
In summary, Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology achieves high-precision and high-quality manufacturing of metal parts through rapid scanning of high-energy laser beams, rapid melting and solidification of metal powders, and layer-by-layer stacking. The emergence of this technology not only promotes the development of the field of additive manufacturing of metal materials, but also provides strong support for innovations in industries such as aerospace, medical, and molds.
In the SLM process, metal powder is evenly spread on the printing platform to form a thin layer of powder bed. Subsequently, under the control of a computer, the high-energy laser beam scans the powder layer layer by layer according to the preset three-dimensional model data. At the focal point of the laser beam, the metal powder quickly absorbs the laser energy, and the temperature rises sharply to above the melting point, thereby achieving rapid melting.
After the laser beam leaves, the melted metal powder quickly cools and solidifies. In this process, the melting and solidification of the metal powder are extremely fast, usually occurring in milliseconds. Due to the extremely fast cooling rate, the solidified metal structure has the characteristics of fine grains and high density, thus ensuring the high strength and good mechanical properties of the printed part.
In order to achieve rapid melting and solidification of metal powder, SLM technology also adopts a layer-by-layer stacking method. After each layer of metal powder is melted and solidified, the printing platform will drop to a certain height, and then spread a new layer of powder to continue the next round of laser scanning. In this way, layer by layer, a complete three-dimensional metal part is finally constructed.
In summary, Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology achieves high-precision and high-quality manufacturing of metal parts through rapid scanning of high-energy laser beams, rapid melting and solidification of metal powders, and layer-by-layer stacking. The emergence of this technology not only promotes the development of the field of additive manufacturing of metal materials, but also provides strong support for innovations in industries such as aerospace, medical, and molds.
