Investigation on the angular accuracy of selective laser melting

In this paper, theoretical models for prediction angular accuracy of selective laser melting with three depositing directions were proposed by considering the track width and the solidification shrinkage. The prediction of the angular absolute error of the angular structure was performed using these models. The results show that the angular fabricated by the SLM process is equal to the as-designed angular for the investigated three directions. Then, the experiments of SLMed Ti6Al4V angular structures were carried out to verify the theoretical models. The theoretical prediction and experimental results had good correspondence. The absolute error of angular concentrates on the scope of ± 0.75°. This fluctuation is caused by the bad surface quality which is resulted by the stair effect. Furthermore, the bad surface roughness enlarges the dimensional measurements of the angular structure. These results provide a guideline for improving the accuracy of SLM technology.