Basic Info
In many respects stereolithography,
except that the laser is used to sinter and fuse powder rather than
solidify liquid polymer. Inside the SLS machine, a thin layer of
powder is laid down and heated to just below its melting-point by
infrared heating panels at the side of the chamber. The unfused
powder acts as built-in support as the part is lowered and the steps
are repeated.
It is important to note
that laser sintering is a very localized phenomena. It differs from
the baking-like sintering used in more traditional
powder metallurgy.
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