Laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) is known by many names including metal selective laser sintering, metal laser melting, direct metal printing and direct metal laser sintering. Linde (former AGA) supplies customers with pure gaseous or liquid argon systems to create the appropriate inert atmosphere for L-PBF processes.
The process
A high-power laser beam is scanned over a bed of powder, sintering the powder into the required shape as it moves. Additional powder is then added and the laser beam starts building up the desired component layer by layer. This technique, which is suitable for producing small and precise components, requires good protection of the chamber atmosphere against air.Laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) processes commonly incorporate the following materials:
- Titanium
- Stainless steel
- Maraging steel
- Aluminium
- Cobalt chrome
- Nickel alloy
- Inconel
Linde (former AGA) solutions for L-PBF processes:
- Argon gas supply – design, provision and installation
- Active gas supply – gases mixed in advance or on-site satisfying process demands
- ADDvance O2 precision – controlled production gas atmosphere
- On-site support – process and/or technical support
- On-stream gas system – design and maintenance services
- Gas safety – equipment, safety checks and training
