A Comparative Study on the Effect of Multiple-Machine Manufacturing on Part Qualities Produced by Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion
As the use of additive manufacturing increases in many industries, there is a need for multiple-machine production of parts. Therefore, the effect of cross-site or multiple-machine manufacturing on part quality must be understood. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the effect of cross-site production on the quality and reproducibility of components manufactured using the EOS M280 metal powder bed fusion system. This, in turn, will provide users with a deeper understanding of the effect of stainless-steel AM parts being manufactured at multiple manufacturing sites on the built parts’ dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and mechanical properties. It has been found that multiple site manufacturing impacts the dimensional accuracy, porosity, residual stress, and powder distribution amongst the build plate. These differences are due to differences in laser histories and the initial operator set-up.