Internal reinforced domains by intermediate deep rolling in additive manufacturing

This paper presents a new concept to integrate mechanical surface treatment into the build process of additive manufacturing (AM). The layer-based build process during Selective Laser Melting (SLM) allows for accessing the single layers before continuing the addition of further layers above the mechanically treated surfaces. Deep rolling is applied to enhance the Surface Integrity into depths of several SLM-layers (450 μm) before the part is re-integrated into the SLM-process. The hardness alterations and increased full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) are preserved after continuing the AM-process. The results reveal the potential to generate material-internal reinforced domains and thus enhance the Material Integrity after AM.