Single Track of Selective Laser Melting Process: Modeling and Experimental Comparison

Abstract

This study uses finite element software to simulate the single melted track of powder (Maraging Steel) on a substrate (S45C). The simulation model considers the absorption penetrating depth of laser power on the powder bed and the penetrating energy irradiating the substrate. A volumetric heat source is applied to the powder bed model, and a surface heat source is applied to the substrate model to obtain the simulated temperature field distribution. The interface melt width between the powder bed, substrate surface, and the substrate melt depth are estimated according to the temperature field distribution. In the experiments, a self-developed SLM experimental system is used, and the laser power and scanning speed are adjusted to observe the effect of a single continuous track on the S45C substrate, which is compared with a theoretical simulation.