Metal Additive Manufacturing of Bucky Badger

3D Printing with Stainless Steel

The Thoma Lab group has recently produced Bucky Badger figurines which were 3D printed by selective laser melting (SLM) of a power bed. In this process, support scaffolding is designed to provide consistent heat transfer during build-up. Scaffolding designs are being investigated to reduce material and consumption cost. The effects of process parameters and heat treatment on the microstructure of metal is also being investigated to achieve better control over microstructure evolution throughout the printing process.