Metal powder bed pre-heating is a proposed route for the homogenisation of
temperature gradients that can otherwise cause individual layer warping and cracking in direct
metal Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). However, the high temperatures involved complicate a
relatively simple process. This paper reports on the conditions for successful small scale SLS
of binderless stainless steel 314S powders within the surrounds of a room temperature powder
bed. Results show that a scan length around 15.0mm and a scan spacing around 0.275mm
produce sintered layers showing no signs of warping. Experimentation also indicates that
single layer shape. effects warping but length oflayer propagation does not.Mechanical Engineerin
