Effects on the density distribution of SLS-parts

Mechanical and geometrical properties of parts produced by selective beam melting of thermoplastic powders depend on a large extend on interactions between following process and material parameters: Powder coating, temperature control, contour lighting, environmental conditions. Consequently critical process repeatability only can be improved by fundamental studies of mentioned interactions. The following article analyzes first part density distribution over building chamber. In a second step results are correlated with typical parameters of the powder coating process during additive part generation. Furthermore temperature distribution and part size deviation are taken into account. Result is a basic understanding of interactions between considered parameters. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or review under responsibility of Bayerisches Laserzentrum GmbH