Optimizing the structure accuracy by changing the scanning strategy using selective laser melting

The roughness of both side and top surface and geometric tolerance affected by the scanning strategy using selective laser melting (SLM) processed by Ti6Al4V alloy were systematically studied. The specimens with a special shape were designed and produced by SLM to investigate the influence of dimension and structure accuracy. The experimental results indicated that the roughness of side and top surface was governed by the scanning strategy, especially the side surface. It shows a significant change of the surface roughness when changing the scanning direction. Some of the geometric tolerance, such as flatness and straightness, were also affected by the scanning strategy. Then the dimension accuracy was researched and showed little variation when changing scanning strategy.