BUILDING OF QUALITY PROTOTYPES BY USING SLS 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

This book explains the building of prototypes by using Selective Laser Sintering(SLS) 3D printing technology. A state of art SLS 3D printer imported from EOS GmbH Germany is used for an experimental investigation. SLS is one of the promising Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies which does not requires support material, particularly for plastic materials such as PA2200 and PA3200. Standard test specimens have been build in different orientation, refresh rate, and sintering temperature.Parameters such as surface roughness, chemical composition and mechanical properties (tensile, compressive flexural, impact strengths) have been estimated for different refresh rates such as fresh powder (100% new powder), 70% new (30% old), and 40% new (60% old). Sintering temperatures of 167 degrees Celsius, 170 degrees Celsius and 173 degrees Celsius are considered for building of prototypes. Experiments have been designed by Taguchi L9 array. ANOVA is used for validation of the results obtained.This text book will be useful to academia and industry to use SLS 3D printers optimally for building quality and economical prototypes.