Femtosecond laser post-processing of metal parts produced by laser additive manufacturing

High-repetition rate femtosecond laser radiation was utilized to improve surface quality of metal parts manufactured by laser additive techniques. Different laser scanning approaches were utilized to increase the ablation efficiency and to improve the surface finish. Processing of 3D-shaped parts made of titanium- and nickel-base alloys resulted in the reduction of the average surface roughness to a few microns. This approach can be used to post-process parts made of thermally and mechanically sensitive materials and to attain complex designed shapes with micrometer precision. Advantages and limitations of this novel post-processing technique are discussed.