What type of laser is good for melting metal?

stl file directs a laser to create a cross-section of the object by completely melting metal particles. The print bed is then lowered so the process can be repeated to create the next object layer.

How does selective laser melting work?

During the SLM process, a product is formed by selectively melting successive layers of powder by the interaction of a laser beam. Upon irradiation, the powder material is heated and, if sufficient power is applied, melts and forms a liquid pool.

Can lasers melt metal?

His newest one, a 200-watt laser bazooka made from old DLP projectors is fully capable of melting the metal housing on a tower PC, and just looking at it without a welders helmet could cause severe eye damage.

Is selective laser melting fast?

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a part of additive manufacturing where a high-power-density laser is used to melt and fuse metallic powders together. This is a fast developing process that is being implemented in both research and industry.

What is laser beam melting?

Laser beam melting is an additive manufacturing process in which 3D components are digitally “cut” into 2D layers. In a powder bed, the cohesion of the particles is achieved via a high-performance laser that exposes the contours and surfaces of the 2D layers, causing the powder to melt and bond locally at these points.

Can lasers melt ice?

Abstract. A CO2 laser can be used to melt ice. Here we use a CO2 laser at 10.6 μm, a wavelength at which ice strongly absorbs, to drill (via melting) through ice. The resulting drilling speed is measured at several irradiation intensities, ice-snow densities, and beam angles relative to the horizontal axis.

What kind of laser is used in metal 3D printing?

fiber lasers
“For metal-based 3D printing, the industry mainly uses fiber lasers with a wavelength of 1,070 nanometers, which is in the infrared range, whereas a continuous-wave, solid-state fiber or disk laser with a wavelength in the range of 1,030 to 1,080 nm is typically used for cutting,” explained Dave Locke, sales specialist …

What are the two modes of laser melting process?

Depending on processing conditions, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is known to have two operational regimes – conduction mode and keyhole mode. Heat conduction is the dominant heat transfer mechanism for conduction mode melting, whereas heat convection is the dominant heat transfer mechanism for keyhole mode melting.

What is the difference between SLS and SLM?

What is the difference between SLS vs SLM? SLS atomically fuses powdered industrial materials together using a high-powered laser; SLM fuses powdered materials together by heating them until they reach a melting point. Sintering temperatures typically run at about 85% of a material’s melting point.

What is selective laser melting in 3D printing?

Selective Laser Melting. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a specific 3D printing technique, which utilizes high power-density laser to fully melt and fuse metallic powders to produce near net-shape parts with near full density (up to 99.9% relative density).

What materials can be used for laser melting?

Materials. Many selective laser melting (SLM) machines operate with a work space up to 400 mm (15.748 in) in X & Y and they can go up to 400 mm (15.748 in) Z. Some of the materials being used in this process can include copper, aluminium, stainless steel, tool steel, cobalt chrome, titanium and tungsten.

What is the laser melting process?

The laser melting process is similar to the laser sintering process in which plastic powder is fused into objects instead of metal powder. In SLM, the selected metal powder is applied in a very thin layer to a movable building platform.

What is SLM (direct selective laser sintering)?

A component is built by selectively melting and fusing powders within and between layers. The SLM technique is also commonly known as direct selective laser sintering, LaserCusing, and direct metal laser sintering, and this technique has been proven to produce near net-shape parts up to 99.9% relative density.