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The laser vector file, which is imported into the DED workspace, describes the power, speed, size, and location of the heat source used to build the component being modeled. This file, along with material selection, provides all required settings, and obviates the need for a processing parameter file used in powderbed fusion simulations.
The format of an LSR file is as follows:
3D LSR structure
# power, laser vector x, y, z, normalization optional, start point x, y, z, end point x, y, z, radius, velocity, start time # separated by single spaces or commas 450 0 0 -1 19.05 11.7 0.2 57.15 11.7 0.2 1 10 0 450 0 0 -1 57.15 13.7 0.2 19.05 13.7 0.2 1 10 3.9 450 0 0 -1 19.05 11.7 0.4 57.15 11.7 0.4 1 10 7.8 450 0 0 -1 57.15 13.7 0.4 19.05 13.7 0.4 1 10 11.7 450 0 0 -1 19.05 11.7 0.6 57.15 11.7 0.6 1 10 15.6 450 0 0 -1 57.15 13.7 0.6 19.05 13.7 0.6 1 10 19.5 450 0 0 -1 19.05 11.7 0.8 57.15 11.7 0.8 1 10 23.4 450 0 0 -1 57.15 13.7 0.8 19.05 13.7 0.8 1 10 27.3 450 0 0 -1 19.05 11.7 1 57.15 11.7 1 1 10 31.2 450 0 0 -1 57.15 13.7 1 19.05 13.7 1 1 10 35.1
Deposition paths from the file example above, visualized on a custom substrate specified by resizing the buildplate
Multi-axis LSR structure
# Power (W), laser orientation X, Y, Z, Vector start X, Y, Z (mm)| Vector end X, Y, Z (mm) | Laser radius (mm), Travel speed (mm/s), Vector Start time (s), Layer group number # separated by single spaces or commas 1000, -0.45,-0.45,-0.45, 0, 20, 0, 9.8, 20, 19.5, 0.5, 25, 0, 1 1000, -0.45,-0.45,-0.45, 40, 20, 0, 30.2, 20, 19.5, 0.5, 25, 5, 1 1000, -0.45,-0.45,-0.45, 20, 0, 0, 20, 9.8, 19.5, 0.5, 25, 15, 2 1000, -0.45,-0.45,-0.45, 20, 40, 0, 20, 30.2, 19.5, 0.5, 25, 20, 2
The LSR file for multi-axis DED contains a 14th column, Layer Group Number.
Using fewer layer groups tends to converge more reliably, using more layer groups, however, will be slightly more accurate and generally faster.
Deposition paths from the file example above, visualized on a custom substrate loaded as mesh from a file
LSR file format limitations and requirements
- Vectors must have a length greater than 0.
- A warning will be issued for lengths less than the specified radius.
- Vectors must be listed in increasing time.
- A warning will be issued if a second laser pass is started before the current laser pass has completed.
- 3D DED only: Vectors must begin and end with the same Z coordinate. Angled vectors in the vertical plane are not supported.
- 3D DED only: Vectors cannot decrease the build height. Once a Z coordinate height is established, the Z coordinate for all subsequent vectors must be equal or greater than that height.