Analysis of printing time components and powder utilisation efficiency of metal selective laser melting process in case of 316L and Ti6Al4V materials

Abstract

In selective laser melting technology, the productivity and the efficiency of powder utilisation were examined. Individual components of the printing time were determined by developing a specially designed model. Two main components of the powder recoating and the laser exposure time were given as a function of the filling ratio of the cross-section. Based on the results, the spreading time can increase the printing time by several hours, depending on the filling factor of the cross-section. In the case of a sampling of 70 prints, the individual elements and process of the powder usage were determined, as well as the mass measurement of the different amounts of powder in the case of 316L and Ti6Al4V materials. It turned out that 45–80% of the powder amount is not used to build the model, which is an essential for both printer users and equipment developers for material cost prediction.