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Repeatability and sources of error in indirect SLS of aluminium_RPJ Sumbission.pdf (128.35 kB)

Process repeatability and sources of error in indirect SLS of aluminium

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journal contribution
posted on 2008-06-03, 10:30 authored by Neil Hopkinson, Tim B. Sercombe
Purpose - This paper investigates the accuracy and repeatability of the indirect selective laser sintering of aluminium process. Design/Methodology/Approach – In this paper we characterised the shrinkage of indirect SLS aluminium parts during the various stages of production. Standard scale parts were measured using a Giddings and Lewis co-ordinate measuring machine in both the green and infiltrated condition. Findings – The conducted experiments show that the most accuracy is lost during furnace cycle and that the greatest loss of accuracy occurred in the Z dimensions. Additionally the position of parts within the part bed in both X, Y and Z is shown to influence accuracy, with smaller parts being built closer to the edge of the bed later in the build. These results have been interpreted as being a result of the phenomenon of “Z-growth”. Finally the research shows that the overall accuracy of the indirect selective laser sintering of aluminium process is comparable with many existing processes such as investment casting. Originality/Value – Before any new material can be accepted, there is a need to not only fully characterise the dimensional accuracy attainable, but gain a though understanding of the processes that contribute to the inaccuracies. This paper addresses this need.

History

School

  • Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Citation

HOPKINSON, N. and SERCOMBE, T.B., 2008. Process repeatability and sources of error in indirect SLS of aluminium. Rapid prototyping journal, 14 (2), pp. 108-113

Publisher

© Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Publication date

2008

Notes

This is a journal article. It was published in the Rapid prototyping journal [© Emerald Group Publishing Limited] and the definitive version is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1355-2546.htm (DOI: 10.1108/13552540810862073)

ISSN

1355-2546

Language

  • en

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