In the past years, selective laser melting (SLMTM) disclosed new opportunities and possibilities for metal manufacturing, especially for those metals such as titanium and platinum alloys which are notoriously difficult to process through traditional production techniques. By using this innovative technology, jewelry manufacturing has been revolutionized, allowing the production of complex pieces with completely new designs and shapes as well as inspiring designer creativity. However, as a pencil has its own resolution limits in handwriting, the SLM technique has its own standard resolution limits as well.

This study aims to demonstrate how it has been possible to increase standard selective laser melting resolution in jewelry manufacturing, enabling sub-millimetric details on near-net-shape pieces. SLM resolution optimization was carried out by investigating and applying new printing strategies using commercial machines to produce jewelry parts. The representative parts were analyzed using optical and electron microscopy. The characterization scientifically demonstrates the great innovations and potential that can be achieved by improving the technique of selective laser melting for the jewelry manufacturing market.

Author: Damiano Zito