Abstract
The paper presents the development of a simplified laboratory selective laser melting (SLM) unit aimed at cheapening the technology by replacing the complex powder feeding system with an open surface with software-controlled dosing and leveling mechanisms. The proposed design allows the use of typical 3D printing software with minimal modifications, facilitating integration and control. A technical implementation of the powder dispensing module is described, including stepper motors, an Arduino microcontroller, and a C# user interface. A layer formation algorithm is developed to ensure that mechanical damage to the part is prevented due to the special motion of the platform. The results of pilot experiments on the creation of a volumetric metal object using a 100 W fiber laser are presented.