Direct Laser Sintering of Metals

Abstract

The use of a directed laser bealn source to selectively sinter multiple layers of
\nbinderless metal powder for the purposes of rapid prototyping is described. The
\nwork in this paper is restricted to -325 mesh iron powder, which was sintered
\nusing a C\\V 50 W Nd:YAG laser to approximately 3.5% density. A subsequent
\npost-treatlnent was perfornled to achieve a fully dense saulple. It is envisioned
\nthat such a system can be used to manufacture functional metallic prototypes
\ndirectly from CAD without part-specific tooling.