SLM-Topo

In the selective laser melting process (SLM), components are built up layer by layer by incremental melting of metal powder with a laser beam. This process leads to locally inhomogeneous material properties of the manufactured components. By integrating these specific material properties of the SLM-process into a topology optimization, product developers can be supported in the design process by simulation. For this purpose, a topology optimization method is being developed which takes into account the unique material properties of parts manufactured with the SLM-process. In this homepage, the generation of a material database as well as the development of the topology optimization method is introduced and the impact on the component design is presented. SLM-Topo is a joint research project of the Institute of Product Engineering (IPEK) and the Institute for Applied Materials (IAM) of the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT) funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG).