A prototype powder deposition system for an open Selective Laser Sintering machine

Abstract

Commercial Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machines possess their own embedded powder deposition systems (PDS), most of which are based on the principle of powder containing piston in combination with a roller for powder spreading. These systems are factory-calibrated and do not offer the possibility to actively modify any pertinent powder deposition parameters. However, beyond the spreading method itself, notably a counter or forward rotating roller with or without a doctor blade, many of these parameters affect the quality of the non-sintered powder layer, such as the particle size distribution and geometry of the grains, rotary speed of the roller, feed of the roller, percentage of excess powder fed to the roller etc. Aiming at facilitating such experimentation, a prototype PDS was designed and manufactured. In this paper, the developed system is described and its utilities are presented. Standard deviation of layer thickness achieved is low enough to ensure system usefulness.