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Why can selective laser melting (SLM) break through the boundaries of traditional manufacturing and achieve complex structures?
In today’s manufacturing industry, selective laser melting (SLM) technology is gaining traction due to its unparalleled ability to create precision metal parts without the limitations of traditional manufacturing. This metal additive manufacturing technology redefines complex structures and designs by melting metal powder with high-power lasers.
Selective laser melting technology not only enables the rapid production of high-strength metal parts, but also has the potential to create complex geometries that cannot be achieved with traditional manufacturing techniques.
The history of SLM dates back to 1995, when the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology in Germany first demonstrated the potential of this technology. Over time, this technology has been applied not only to prototype manufacturing, but also to a wide range of industries such as aerospace, medical and automotive, showing its important value in highly specialized and personalized production.
At the heart of SLM technology is its ability to build parts using a variety of metal alloys. By accumulating layer by layer, SLM can create internal features and complex channels that are impossible to achieve with traditional casting or machining techniques.
Many industries face the challenge of rapid iteration and customization needs, and SLM technology provides flexible solutions that save time and improve material utilization.
In the process of selective laser melting, when a 3D CAD file is sliced into multiple layers, typically between 20 and 100 microns thick, these thin layers of metal powder are then evenly distributed over the substrate. Each layer of metal powder is then selectively melted using high-speed laser melting to form a strong, solid structure. This bottom-to-top construction ensures a high degree of density and structural integrity of the manufactured parts.
Currently, selective laser melting technology can process many types of metal alloys, such as titanium alloys, stainless steel, copper and nickel-based superalloys, demonstrating its advantages in different material applications. At the same time, the characteristics of parts produced by SLM show higher strength and mechanical properties than traditional cast parts. This is due to the ability of SLM technology to form fine microstructures, which significantly enhances its performance.
As a result of this technology, mechanical engineers and materials scientists are able to design parts with specific properties and functions that are often difficult to achieve in traditional manufacturing.
However, despite the many advantages of SLM, there are still some challenges. For example, material selectivity and defect formation issues, such as cracks and pores, can affect product functionality and performance. In addition, further research is still needed to resolve the processing limitations of certain metal alloys. In the future, addressing these challenges will help expand the feasibility of SLM in a wider range of applications.
SLM technology allows some industries to flexibly respond to individual needs and effectively shorten production time. For high-demand fields such as aerospace, SLM can produce parts that meet stringent standards and help reduce the weight of parts and greatly improve fuel efficiency.
As SLM technology advances, we can imagine how the future manufacturing industry will use this technology to meet challenges and promote the development of various industries.
Looking back at the impact of SLM technology in the modern manufacturing world, it undoubtedly marks a major change in traditional manufacturing methods. However, in the future, how will this technology continue to promote innovation and improvement, and can it satisfactorily solve the current limitations and challenges?
