Impact of build envelope on the properties of additive manufactured parts from AlSi10Mg

The selective laser melting (SLM) process is well established in the construction of prototypes and in the low volume production. With increasing build-up rates the next step to serial production is possible. Multi laser systems and larger build envelopes make the process cost-efficient. Enlarged systems enable not only the manufacturing of numerous smaller parts in one build job but also bigger parts for the automotive and aerospace industry. A modified metal laser melting machine X LINE 2000R equipped with a dual laser system and an enlarged build envelope is used to investigate the position-dependent properties of parts made from AlSi10Mg. The impact on porosity and mechanical properties is shown for different spatial directions. The results are an important contribution to process design, component layout and further improvements of larger SLM machines.