An experimental investigation of fabricated parts by laser melting of Fe-Cu powder mixture, a type of rapid prototyping devices

One of the main goals of researchers in the laser sintering process of metal powders is optimization of process parameters in order to reach the properties of manufactured parts to the raw material properties. In order to produce fully dense multi-layer parts, it is necessary to optimize the process parameters of a mono-layer part. In the present study, experiments have performed on a powder bed with the thickness of 5mm. The fabricated parts have been produced by a single laser scanning of the powder bed. By moving the laser beam on the powder bed, circular pieces with a diameter of 20 mm have been produced. Based on preliminary experiments and according to the input parameters, a function has defined for energy density. Therefore, output parameters have investigated based on weight percent of Cu and energy density. Results show that there is a saddle point in the diagram of the effect of energy density and the weight percent of Cu on output parameters. This point shows the transmission of sintering to complete melting. Optimal condition of manufacturing parts by rapid prototyping is the condition which strength, surface finish and dimensional accuracy are at the highest possible level while shrinkage, balling and thermal stresses are at the lowest possible level. The results show that the best condition is while the energy density sets between 120-140 W/m2 and the weight percent of Cu sets between 18-22 %.