The developement of SLM laser strategy for lattice structure fabrication

Additive technology (AT) is increasingly used to design unique parts, mainly due to the ability to produce complex structures such as lattice structures. However, this also includes the need to modify the process parameters or the production strategy of the AT, which is usually set to produce volume geometry. Using samples corresponding to the geometries of the lattice structures, the exact input values were measured, which were used to design the SLM (Selective laser melting) production process using a contour strategy. Thanks to this, vertical and angled (35.26°) struts with low porosity (up to 0.2 %), low surface roughness and high dimensional accuracy were produced. Porosity was measured on µCT, surface roughness and dimensional accuracy were measured on STL data. The results show that if the parameters of the SLM process are set correctly, it is possible to produce struts with low porosity and surface roughness using different combinations of laser power and scanning speed. The above findings were used in the creation of script that allow the selection of suitable process parameters to produce lattice structures