Optimization of Powder Layer Density in Selective Laser Sintering

An important parameter for the overall quality of SLS parts is the density of powder layers before sintering. Previous studies have shownthatthe control of powder particle shape and size distribution can increase the density of non-packed powder beds. However, these studies concerned beds several orders of magnitude larger than the SLS layers. The purpose ofthis study. is to determine if,and to what extent, the density of thin powder layers can be ineteased. Experiments show that the density of thin layers increases from 53% to 63% when adding 30% fine powder to the coarse powder,/with a coarse-to-fine ratio of 1:10. Compared with the bulk experiments, this density improvement method is less efficient, because the particles do not arrange as efficiently, and the wall effects can become predominant.Mechanical Engineerin

Microstructure of near-infrared pulsed laser sintered titanium samples

The microstructure and material properties of near-infrared pulsed laser sintered titanium have been investigated. Several analyses of the selectively laser sintered titanium powder, using characterisation techniques such as compressive strength, microhardness, energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy analysis, allowed the metallurgical description of the sintering process. Only partial melting in a narrow surface layer took place, whereas most of the material stayed clearly below the melting temperatur

3D Printing for Rapid Manufacturing: Study of Dimensional and Geometrical Accuracy

Part 3: StrategyInternational audience3D printing (3DP) is one of the innovative developments in rapid prototyping (RP) technology. The goal of the initial inception and progress of the technology was to assist the product development phase of product design and manufacturing. The technology has played an important role in educating product design and 3D modeling because it helps students/designer to visualize their design idea, to enhance their creative design process and enables them to touch and feel the result of their innovative work. This paper presents the results of the study done on the in-built potentials and limitations of 3DP technology when used for rapid manufacturing purposes