In this study, a holistic evaluation strategy employing a complex test artifact, coupled with single line scan tracks, was employed to examine the influence of different laser beam energy profiles on various features of laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M). Using IN718, results revealed a significant influence of the laser beam on bead geometry. Specifically, the conventional Gaussian beam produced deeper, concave-shaped melt pools, while the ring beam resulted in wider and shallower beads. In terms of productivity, the artifacts (two each) fabricated using the Gaussian beam required 6 h and 6 min of build time, while those built using ring beam required only 3 h and 49 min (37% build time reduction) but a defocused Gaussian beam (not included in this study) can match the productivity of the ring beam. However, the holistic approach using the complex test artifact highlighted drawbacks associated with the ring beam, including increased lack of fusion porosity, compromised resolution for features below 0.5 mm, and less than 10% elongation to break in both as built and heat-treated conditions. While acknowledging the potential for improvement through further process optimization, the study concludes that the shallower melt pools produced by the ring beam may cause limitations as layer thicknesses increase. Microstructural analysis revealed distinct grain characteristics, with the Gaussian beam producing more equiaxed grains and the ring beam favouring columnar grains positioned along the build direction. The work primarily highlights the need for and benefits from a holistic analysis in PBF-LB/M technology, ensuring data driven outcomes.

在本研究中，采用了采用复杂测试工件与单线扫描轨迹相结合的整体评估策略，以检查不同激光束能量分布对基于激光的粉末床金属熔合（PBF-LB/米）。使用 IN718 ，结果揭示了激光束对珠几何形状的显着影响。具体来说，传统的高斯光束产生更深的凹形熔池，而环形光束产生更宽、更浅的熔珠。在生产率方面，使用高斯光束制造的工件（每个两个）需要 6 小时 6 分钟的构建时间，而使用环形光束构建的工件仅需要 3 小时 49 分钟（构建时间减少 37%），但散焦高斯光束制造的工件仅需要 3 小时 49 分钟（构建时间减少 37%）。梁（不包括在本研究中）可以与环梁的生产率相匹配。然而，使用复杂测试工件的整体方法凸显了与环形梁相关的缺点，包括熔合孔隙率缺乏增加、低于 0.5 毫米的特征分辨率受损，以及在构建和热处理条件下断裂伸长率低于 10% 。虽然承认通过进一步工艺优化进行改进的潜力，但研究得出的结论是，随着层厚度的增加，环梁产生的较浅熔池可能会造成限制。微观结构分析揭示了不同的晶粒特征，高斯光束产生更多的等轴晶粒，而环形光束有利于沿构建方向定位的柱状晶粒。这项工作主要强调了 PBF-LB/M 技术整体分析的必要性和好处，确保数据驱动的结果。