The Comparison of Selected Strength Indicators of Manufactured Prototypes Produced by Metal Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) System

Lasermelting is one of the additive manufacturing methods that uses very strong ytterbium laser ray for the melting of very fine metallic powders to produce fully functioning 3D parts. The production process origins in 3D CAD model that is virtually divided into separate layers (2D curves-25 mu m up to 100 mu m thin). Sequential application of individual layers of metallic powder and its laser melting within the inert atmosphere creates 3D metallic part. We compared selected strength indicators of samples that were manufactured by the selective laser melting technology on AM 250 machine. The used material was AlSi10 Mg from two different suppliers. The comparison was also important in terms of economic efficiency, since the price difference between the two suppliers was up to 40%. Sample rods were produced by AM 250-200 W laser machine. Samples were cut after the prescribed heat treatment by annealing 300 degrees C +/- 10 degrees C for 2 h with gradual air cooling.