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An innovative method to build support structures with a pulsed laser in the selective laser melting process

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Abstract

In selective laser melting machines, continuous laser are usually used to melt the powder. The support structures, which are inevitable when dealing with elaborated pieces, necessitate a complex design by CAD in order to be easily removed. This paper propose an innovative laser manufacturing method by combining pulsed and continuous modes of radiation. Continuous radiations are used for the object-to-build itself, in order to guarantee the requested mechanical properties. Pulsed radiations are used to build the support structures. The resulting support structures have sufficient mechanical properties to withstand the deposition system and to evacuate heat, and are easy to remove from the denser parts. This building method reduces drastically time to market since the same laser can be used in two modes and because pulsed radiation allows very high scanning speed with high power during the building of support structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Gestion et Procédés de Production, IGM-STI-EPFL, Station 9, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Jamasp Jhabvala, Eric Boillat & Rémy Glardon

  2. Laboratoire de Mécanique et Génie Civil, University of Montpellier II, UMR CNRS, 5508, Place Eugène Bataillon, CC048, 34095, Montpellier, France

    Cédric André

Authors
  1. Jamasp Jhabvala
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  2. Eric Boillat
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  3. Cédric André
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  4. Rémy Glardon
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Correspondence to Jamasp Jhabvala.

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Jhabvala, J., Boillat, E., André, C. et al. An innovative method to build support structures with a pulsed laser in the selective laser melting process. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 59, 137–142 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-011-3470-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-011-3470-8

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