Influence of the support structure on the bandsawing process when separating LPBF components from the building platform

The method of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing process and allows great freedom of component geometry due to the layer-by-layer structure. The LPBF components are printed on a substrate plate and must be separated from the plate afterwards. Support structures are used to attach LPBF components to the substrate plate and to sustain overhanging parts. The cutting of the components is mainly carried out by means of a sawing process using the support structure. The forces occurring during this process are very challenging because the component has to be cut off without damage or deformation. The present study investigates and discusses the resultant forces and vibrations during the sawing of LPBF components made of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V using two different support structures. The components were arranged on the substrate plate at angles of 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 45° and 90° to the direction of primary motion.