Research Projects

stainless steel is increasingly used in the manufacturing industry for biomedical implant products, such as tooth implants, surgical scissors, bone replacement, and heart valves. The manufacturing process for ss316L bio-implants is complex and has limitations due to the increasing number of musculoskeletal illnesses and injuries. The laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process is a promising solution, offering capabilities in 3D printing intricate designs, fine-tuning material properties, tight tolerance, and lattice structures. However, rapid melting and solidification can lead to defects like residual stress, cracking, and heat accumulation. To mitigate these issues, careful fine-tuning of LPBF process parameters is necessary. The production rate of LPBF implants is also a challenge due to factors like support structures removal, smaller built volume, reduced number of implants, and additional machine setup time. A robust methodology is needed to address material wastage and the presence of support structures, ensuring defect-free implant products. This work aims to optimize input process parameters, formulate advanced parametric algorithms, and develop a novel methodology to fabricate support-free structures without compromising mechanical integrity in the LPBF process.