Dimensional accuracy of polymer laser sintered parts: Influences and measures

In the polymer laser sinter process, part quality depends on many influencing factors along the process chain. For application of the technology in series production and an integration of laser sintered parts into a technical environment, the dimensional accuracy of parts has to be taken into account. Therefore, occuring deviatons and their scattering have to be reduced and homogenized based on process parameters and build job layout. In this work, the dimensional accuracy of laser sintered parts is analyzed for varied parameter values. Influences of different process and geometrical build job parameters on dimensional deviatons are figured out. The experimental results allow an evaluation of more and less important influences. Finally, measures are deduced to reduce and homogenize dimensional deviations.