Rapid Manufacturing with Selective Laser Sintering

Posted by Tyler P.
3
Nov 28, 2016
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Rapid Prototyping has long been used as a tool to produce early concept models. Used as visual design aides and old marketing tools, prototype models were initially confined to the early stages of the design process due to the fragile nature of materials available. Ongoing research and development within the field of Rapid Prototyping have led to significant developments in the range of materials available with prototype models now suitable for fit, form and function testing. Taking functionality even further, the Selective Laser Sintering process has proven popular as a tool for Rapid Manufacture of production components.

Selective Sintering is the Additive Manufacturing process by which three dimensional objects are "grown" layer by layer from fused particles of glass, ceramic, plastic or metal. Using an STL file of the required part, a high power laser selectively draws a cross section of the object onto a thin layer of the SLS material. As the laser hits the powder, it fuses to create a solid mass representing one cross section of the part. Once this section is done with the build platform lowers by 0.1mm and a new layer of powder is spread across the build platform. The process repeats until the final object is "grown" layer by layer. Minimal clean-up is required as the loose, or unsintered material can simply be brushed away to leave the final model.

With minimal cleanup and turnover times of less than 24 hours offered on the SLS Formiga P100 machine, Laser Sintering integrates perfectly into the production environment. As compared to conventional methods of manufacturing, SLS can achieve even up to 100% density depending on the materials used with comparable material properties. Also, since a large number of parts can be filled with a powder bed, the productivity is very high. SLS Prototype Cost In China varies depending on the companies offering the prototype services in China. SLS is an additive manufacturing. However, as compared to other additive manufacturing methods, SLS can produce using a very wide range of powder materials. 

SLS systems are free from extra support structures as its structure is built to have it surrounded by unsintered powder all the time. One of the most important elements of SLS is a CAD or computer aided design file. However for the 3D printing machine to understand the CAD file, you will have to convert it into a file of STL format. Usually SLS is used for printing objects with powered plastics; however, there are also several instances where the technology involves the use of other materials. During the printing process, the powder is heated either below or above its boiling point using laser beams. The process is called sintering when the powder gets heated up to a temperature just below the material's boiling point. This application of heat fuses all particles together to form a solid object. SLS Prototype Cost in China varies but is highly competitive.

The object is not removed immediately from the printing machine. It is kept in the machine for some time even after being fully formed. The object is taken out only after it cools down. SLS is used for making objects using a range of materials including ceramics, glass, and plastic. Some companies and hobbyists also use this technology to make objects from powdered metals. SLS is popular in industries that need to manufacture products in very small quantities, but by using materials of highest quality.

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If you are looking for Vacuum Cast Parts from China then the author of this article recommends HLH Prototypes.

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