SLS prototype machine and process
Sinterstation ® HiQ ™ Series SLS ® System
Technology: Selective Laser Sintering (SLS ™) process
Material: powder-Thermoplastics, Thermoplastic Elastomers, Metals, Composites
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process
The process of SLS is a bit like the SLA , which can also be seen from Fig. 2, but in this case placed on the laser over a compact powder comprising a thermoplastic material (A). The powder is distributed from a roll (B) on the surface of a building chamber (C). A piston (D) runs down a layer thickness in order to make space for the powder.
The powder delivery system (E) works the same as building the chamber, it also has a cylinder and a piston, but in this case the plunger as the second run down.
Lasers with infrared heat radiation
The laser, which is controlled by a scanning system (F) melts the powder where it strikes. CO2 laser using an infrared heat radiation. The entire fabrication chamber is sealed and the temperature is kept constant just below the powder melting point, making the laser only to raise the temperature a bit of the powder melts locally. This causes the laser to draw with a high speed which reduces production time for the SLS.
After the piece is finished running the piston up and excess powder is brushed away, and after treatment can be performed. This is not everything, it may take some time to cool so you can remove the item from the machine. Large parts with thin sections may take as much as up to 2 days to cool down.
Saves support relative to the SLA
There is no need for support of the subject, as the powder already have this effect. This saves time in finishing compared to SLA, but the surface is however not nearly as good. The subject, however does not have a last treatment by the SLA . Depending on the conditions subject to cope with, it may be necessary to infiltrate it with other materials to improve the mechanical characters. There has been great progress in recent years in improving the surface and porosity. The method is also extended to the direct manufacture of metal, ceramic items and the tool.
