Selective laser melting of Inconel 625 using pulse shaping

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is an additive manufacturing technology that consolidates layers of metal powder using a high power laser. The laser's small spot size and relative accuracy facilitates the production of high resolution parts with great complexity that would be otherwise difficult to manufacture using conventional manufacturing techniques (e.g. casting, machining etc.). The possibility to build thin wall high resolution parts complements the technology's main advantage and extends its manufacturing capabilities. The high heat input delivered by the laser and complex melt pool dynamics, requires that laser process parameters are carefully controlled in order to prevent solidified parts from exhibiting poor properties such as a high surface roughness and poor resolution. [Continues.]