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2018
Conference Paper
Title
Selective electron beam melting of tool steels - Dimensional limitations
Abstract
Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM) offers a high degree of freedom in design. Although first approaches were made concerning design rules for standard Ti-6Al-4V, there is hardly any information on other materials, especially tool steels. Besides different powder characteristics, process parameters and mechanical properties for SEBM change completely compared to standard materials. Thus, it is not remarkable that design rules will vary from common guidelines like VDI 3405 for Ti-6Al-4V. This paper presents experimental investigations on structure sizes and limitations in SEBM of tool steels. Powders for the study were gas atomized with a medium particle size of 90 µm. A design demonstrator, featuring e.g. minimum cylinder diameters, overhangs or wholes, was built and analyzed by 3D optical measurements. Smallest features could be derived to 0.8 mm for steels. Finally, a comparison of first results with the same demonstrator based on standard Ti-6Al-4V will be given. Findings will be supported by powder analysis.