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Consecutive sub-sector scan mode with adjustable scan lengths for selective laser melting technology

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Abstracts

In an effort to optimize the manufacture of near fully dense metal parts, we have developed a sub-sector scan mode for selective laser melting (SLM) technology. The working process of such a scan mode is realized by the way that the contour polygons of a three-dimensional (3D) metal part obtained by slicing layer by layer are enclosed in a small quadrangle box, specifically an encasing box, and sub-boxes (sub-sectors) in square are then divided by the enclosed quadrangle box with short scan lengths on each side. Then these sub-sectors are hatched with bidirectional scanning lines which are normal with right-angles in adjacent sectors. The algorithm is presented in this paper. In the SLM processes, this scan pattern helps to increase the temperature in small sub-sectors and melt metal powder more effectively. Parts with complex structures from stainless steel 316 L were manufactured with this new scan mode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Materials Processing and Die & Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hu-Bei, 430074, Peolple’s Republic of China

    Wenxian Zhang, Yusheng Shi, Bing Liu, Lin Xu & Wei Jiang

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  1. Wenxian Zhang
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  2. Yusheng Shi
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  3. Bing Liu
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  4. Lin Xu
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  5. Wei Jiang
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Correspondence to Wenxian Zhang or Yusheng Shi.

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Zhang, W., Shi, Y., Liu, B. et al. Consecutive sub-sector scan mode with adjustable scan lengths for selective laser melting technology. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 41, 706–713 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-008-1527-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-008-1527-0

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