MODEL OF THE SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING OF BISPHENOL-A POLYCARBONATE

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a new additive process for rapidly preparing prototype parts by selectively fusing portions of layers of polymer powder with a rastered, modulated, CO2 laser beam. Layer to layer fusion is important for achieving good mechanical properties. Generally, the fusion depth is found to be a function of laser beam overlap on adjacent scans, scan speed, and intensity. It is also a function of the kinetic rates of powder sintering and of heat transfer. A one-dimensional model of the SLS thermal process is presented that can accurately predict, to within 20%, the effect of these process and material parameters on experimentally observed fusion depths in bisphenol-A polycarbonate powders.