Use of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) as a Replacement for Pressure Die Casting Technology for the Production of Automotive Casting

Selective laser melting is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that is used to produce complex-shaped components for applications in the automotive industry. The purpose of the changes in the design, technology, and material tests was to make a steering gear housing using the SLM method. The steering gear housing was produced by the pressure casting method using an AlSi9Cu3(Fe) alloy. The construction of this housing is adapted to the specifics of left-hand traffic. The change in technology was related to the change of the position of the steering system from right-hand to left-hand and the demand for a limited number of gear housings. It was necessary to make a virtual model of the housing on the basis of the part that was removed from the vehicle. In SLM technology, the AlSi10Mg aluminum alloy was used as a raw material in the form of CL 32Al gas-atomized powder. After the SLM process was completed, the housings were subjected to heat treatment. The AlSi10Mg alloy fabricated by the SLM method after heat treatment is characterized by good plasticity and an average value of tensile strength. The last stage was to check the geometry of the SLM housing with a 3D scanner. As a result, a map of the dimensional deviations from the nominal values was obtained. This data was used to modify the CAD model before the next fabrication process. The use of 3D printing technology allowed for the quick production of elements. The time to develop the technology and the production of the first two gear housings based on a 3D model was seven days.