Influence of SLM Process Parameters on Density of IN718 Alloy: A Taguchi and Super Ranking Analysis

Abstract

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) has emerged as a transformative additive manufacturing technique, particularly in metal processing, due to its precision, efficiency, and ability to produce complex geometries. This study focuses on optimizing the density test results of IN718 alloy through the SLM process by analysing the effects of key process parameters: laser power (LP), scan speed (SS), and hatch distance (Hd). A series of experiments were conducted to assess the influence of these parameters on the material's density. Both experimental and predicted values were compared to evaluate the accuracy of the predictions. The results demonstrate significant variations in density is driven by the selected SLM parameters. The small residuals between the experimental and predicted values suggest that the developed model offers reliable predictions for these properties in the additive manufacturing of IN718 alloy. This study emphasizes the critical role of process parameter optimization in enhancing the material properties of IN718 alloy, providing a robust model for predicting density test results under various SLM conditions.