Selective laser sintering of metals and ceramics

Abstract

Solid Freeform Fabrication has been used to describe collectively a growing number of toolless manufacturing techniques. One of these process Selective Laser Sintering, in which a part is generated in layers from powder using a computer-controlled laser/scanning apparatus and power feed system. An overview of the basic principles of SLS machine operation is given. Two binding mechanisms are described for powder which becomes thermally activated by the scanning laser beam: viscous flow and melting of a low-melting-point phase in mixed powders of differing chemistries