Process:
Laser Sintering (LS) or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS
R) involves fabrication of a physical model by the selective melting of powdered material layer by layer. The process uses a fine powder which is heated with a CO
2 laser so that the surface tension of the particles is overcome and they fuse together. Before the powder is sintered, the entire bed is heated to just below the melting point of the material in order to minimise thermal distortion and facilitate fusion to the previous layer.
In-house Facilities:
We are the first RP centre in the UK equipped with the dual laser sintering system
EOSINT P700, manufactured by EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, the largest LS system to make parts with size up to 700mm x 380mm x 580mm. We can make plastic prototypes of this size.
We also have three selective laser sintering machines from 3D Systems (DTM Corp.):
Sinterstation 2000, 2500CI and 2500Plus with Build Chamber Dimensions of 381mm(width) x 330mm (depth) x 457mm(height) for making plastic prototypes and CastForm patterns.
Materials and Applications :
At the MEC, we can help you to benefit from SLS technology and bring your products to market in no time. We use a wide range of powdered materials that are thermo-plastic in nature or metal composite for making rapid prototypes to suit your applications:
- Polyamide (PA2200, DuraFormTM) and Glass-Filled Polyamide (PA3200, GF DuraFormTM): for functional prototypes and concept models.
- Fine polyamide PA2200/Glass filled: for large functional prototypes.
- CastFormTM PS: a wax like material for making patterns for investment casting
- LaserFormTM: a metal powder for making metal parts, and rapid tool inserts for plastic injection moulding and gravity die casting
- Alumide®: a blend of aluminium powders and PA powder, which allows metallic-looking, non-porous components to be machined easily and is resistant to high temperatures. A typical application is the manufacture of parts requiring a metallic appearance such as those used in the automotive or aerospace sectors. Importantly, not only do the parts have an appearance similar to a spark-eroded surface finish but it can also be finished by grinding and milling.
Figure 1: Laser Sintering with 2 lasers.
Figure 2: Large polyamide prototype.
For Technical Information of the equipment and materials we use, please click
here.
For further information, please see the manufacturers' own web sites:
EOS
3D Systems
