Lasers and materials in selective laser sintering

J.P. Kruth; X. Wang; T. Laoui; L. Froyen

doi:10.1108/01445150310698652

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Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Online from: 1980

Subject Area: Mechanical & Materials Engineering

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Lasers and materials in selective laser sintering

Document Information:
Title:	Lasers and materials in selective laser sintering
Author(s):	J.P. Kruth, (Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan, 300B, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium. E-mail: Jean-Pierre.kruth@mech.kuleuven.ac.be), X. Wang, (Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan, 300B, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium. E-mail: Jean-Pierre.kruth@mech.kuleuven.ac.be), T. Laoui, (Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan, 300B, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium. E-mail: Jean-Pierre.kruth@mech.kuleuven.ac.be), L. Froyen, (Catholic University of Leuven, Celestijnenlaan, 300B, Leuven, B-3001, Belgium. E-mail: Jean-Pierre.kruth@mech.kuleuven.ac.be)
Citation:	J.P. Kruth, X. Wang, T. Laoui, L. Froyen, (2003) "Lasers and materials in selective laser sintering", Assembly Automation, Vol. 23 Iss: 4, pp.357 - 371
Keywords:	Formed materials, Lasers, Simulation, Sintering
Article type:	Research Paper
DOI:	10.1108/01445150310698652 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	MCB UP Ltd
Abstract:	Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the most rapidly growing rapid prototyping techniques (RPT). This is mainly due to its suitability to process almost any material: polymers, metals, ceramics (including foundry sand) and many types of composites. The material should be supplied as powder that may occasionally contain a sacrificial polymer binder that has to be removed (debinded) afterwards. The interaction between the laser beam and the powder material used in SLS is one of the dominant phenomena that defines the feasibility and quality of any SLS process. This paper surveys the current state of SLS in terms of materials and lasers. It describes investigations carried out experimentally and by numerical simulation in order to get insight into laser-material interaction and to control this interaction properly.