Additive process chain using selective laser melting and laser metal deposition

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) are prominent methods in the field of additive manufacturing technology. While the powder-bed based SLM allows the manufacturing of complex structures, buildrate and part volumes are limited. In contrast, LMD is able to operate with high deposition rates on existing parts, however shape complexity is limited. Utilizing their respective strengths, a combination of these two additive technologies has the potential to produce complex parts with high deposition rates. In this paper, a process chain consisting of additive technologies SLM and LMD is described. The experiments are conducted using the alloys Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718. A cylindrical test specimen is produced and the microstructure along the SLM-LMD zone is described. In addition, this process chain was tested in the manufacturing of a turbine blade. The feasibility of implementing this process chain for small batch production is discussed. The results are evaluated to show advantages and limitations of the SLM-LMD process chain. This paper is relevant for industrial or scientific users of additive manufacturing technologies, who are interested in the feasibility of a SLM-LMD process chain and its potential for increased deposition rates.