PSI - Issue 83

E.N.T. Isidro et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 83 (2026) 171–178

173

The samples were printed using the TRUMPF TruPrint 1000 Basic Edition system, with Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology (see Figure 1). The system maximum power is 200 W, a beam diameter of 55 µm, and a scanning speed of up to 3000 mm/s. All 3D prints of the samples were manufactured in an inert atmosphere utilizing argon as a shielding gas.

Figure 1. TRUMPF TruPrint 1000 equipment: (a) exterior and printing zone; (b) printing camera.

2.2. Process parameters and specimen fabrication The definition of printing parameters significantly affects final part quality, production cost, and printing time. Incorrect parameter combinations can lead to issues such as porosity, print instability, and adverse changes in mechanical properties. The typical volumetric energy density (VED) for steel processing ranges from 50 to 100 J/mm³. The extremes of machine power and speed, alongside standard laser settings recommended by manufacturers, helped establish a matrix of parameter combinations to evaluate their effect on material characteristics (Table 2). Intermediate combinations were selected to represent a broad range of printing regimes, while hatch spacing and layer thickness remained constant during the study.

Table 2. Combination matrix for VED analysis.

Scanning Speed ( mm/s )

VED ( J / mm 3)

3000 2000 1500 1000

16.0 16.7 20.0 23.3 26.7 24.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 32.0 33.3 40.0 46.7 53.3 48.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 96.0 100.0 120.0 140.0 160.0 120 125 150 175 200

500

Beam Power ( W )

The used scanning method affects the component mechanical properties, surface quality, and internal structure. This study specifically examined the chessboard and stripes scanning strategies (Figure 2). Based on the previously established matrix, five combinations of scanning speed and laser power, representing different VED levels, were chosen for each scanning strategy (Table 3).

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. 3D printing strategies used: (a) chessboard strategy; (b) stripes strategy.