Abstract Scope |
The naval enterprise faces ongoing readiness challenges in their ability to rapidly obtain repair or replacement components. Among the different additive manufacturing methods, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) has garnered interest for its ability to create geometrically accurate, complex, and critical parts out of various metal powders. However, questions remain among approvers regarding the repeatability of these systems, both among different builds on the same system and the variability when moving to a different system. Leveraging the Naval Sea Systems Command Additive Manufacturing Warfare Center Working Group, a consistent set of coupons was printed multiple times on six LPBF systems from three different manufacturers. Process variables, including energy source parameters, scan paths, and operator procedures, were kept as constant as possible within and across each site. Specimens produced were used for tensile and hardness testing, optical microscopy, and surface roughness measurements, in order to detect process control limits and allowables. |