Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Laser Sintering (LS)
Selective Laser Sintering, usually referred to as LS, was invented in the 1980s
by University of Texas researchers Carl Deckard and Joseph Beaman.
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Selective
laser sintering follows a technique similar to SL printers. Instead of using
liquid photopolymers in a vat, however, LS printers use powder.
Like SL, the LS printing process is not what many people would envision
as a “printing process.” These printers trace a high-power laser beam over the
surface of a bed of powder. The powder melts where illuminated by the laser.
A roller inside the printer brushes a fresh layer of powder on top and lowers
the print bed a fraction of a millimeter.
Printing with powder instead of liquid materials has its advantages. An
object printed in powder is less likely to collapse during the printing process
since the unfused powder acts as a built-in support. In some cases, unused
leftover loose powder can be recycled and used in another print job. Powdered
material is more versatile because many raw materials can be obtained in
powdered form, including powdered nylon, steel, bronze, and titanium.
On the downside, LS printers create objects whose surface tends to be
porous rather than smooth. LS printers currently can't print different types
of powders at once. LS printers aren't yet a good it for home or ofice use.
Since some powders have a tendency to explode if handled incorrectly, an LS
printer requires a sealed chamber illed with nitrogen.
A laser beam melting and fusing powdered metal. The printed object ends
up buried under powder when the printing process is complete.
