Rights statement: This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
Final published version, 1.42 MB, PDF document
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of scan direction and orientation on mechanical properties of laser sintered polyamide-12
AU - Nelson, Jack A.
AU - Galloway, Gregory
AU - Rennie, Allan
AU - Abram, Tom
AU - Bennett, Graham R.
N1 - This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
PY - 2014/9
Y1 - 2014/9
N2 - In order to understand the impact of layer-wise scanning direction in the Selective Laser Sintering process, test coupons were manufactured for mechanical testing from DuraForm™ Polyamide powder. The effects of laser energy density, varying between 0.003 and 0.024 J/mm2 were examined in test specimens rotated 90º through the Z axis. SLS machines do not always facilitate ‘cross-hatching’ of layers and therefore orientation has a major influence on part quality. When employed, the cross-hatching technique scans successive layers perpendicularly to the previous. Studying how parts perform with scan lines in a common direction, will assist in the understanding of how SLS parts behave in practice. Results showed that physical density, tensile strength and elongation rose with energy density up to 0.012 J/mm². This initial rise was due to a continued improvement in particle fusion with increasing energy density. Above 0.012 J/mm², these properties started to decline at different rates depending on their orientation (scan direction) on the part bed. Specimen’s oriented perpendicularly to the X axis exhibited a greater elongation at the expense of tensile strength, when compared to parallel specimens.
AB - In order to understand the impact of layer-wise scanning direction in the Selective Laser Sintering process, test coupons were manufactured for mechanical testing from DuraForm™ Polyamide powder. The effects of laser energy density, varying between 0.003 and 0.024 J/mm2 were examined in test specimens rotated 90º through the Z axis. SLS machines do not always facilitate ‘cross-hatching’ of layers and therefore orientation has a major influence on part quality. When employed, the cross-hatching technique scans successive layers perpendicularly to the previous. Studying how parts perform with scan lines in a common direction, will assist in the understanding of how SLS parts behave in practice. Results showed that physical density, tensile strength and elongation rose with energy density up to 0.012 J/mm². This initial rise was due to a continued improvement in particle fusion with increasing energy density. Above 0.012 J/mm², these properties started to decline at different rates depending on their orientation (scan direction) on the part bed. Specimen’s oriented perpendicularly to the X axis exhibited a greater elongation at the expense of tensile strength, when compared to parallel specimens.
KW - Energy Density
KW - Orientation
KW - Scan Direction
KW - Selective Laser Sintering
M3 - Journal article
VL - 7
SP - 19
EP - 25
JO - International Journal of Advanced Design and Manufacturing Technology
JF - International Journal of Advanced Design and Manufacturing Technology
SN - 2252-0406
IS - 3
ER -