Article: Laser polishing parameter optimisation on selective laser sintered parts Journal: International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials (IJMMM) 2010 Vol.8 No.3/4 pp.417 - 432 Abstract: This paper presents the effect of the laser-polishing process applied to parts built-up by selective laser sintering (SLS). One of the main drawbacks of the SLS technique is the high surface roughness of resulting parts. Therefore, a final polishing process is necessary to be valid for operation conditions. Polishing processes are usually carried out by manual abrasive techniques. In the present paper, a surface polishing method based on laser irradiation is presented to automate the polishing operation. The laser polishing process is based on a surface microscopic layer melting, which re-solidifies under shielding gas protective conditions, resulting on a smoother surface. Laser-polishing tests for lines, horizontal areas, inclined planes and a sample real part were performed, with satisfactory results in all the cases. The experimental tests were carried out on LaserForm ST-100<SUP align="right"><SMALL>©</SMALL></SUP> sintered test parts with an initial roughness of 7.5 to 7.8 μm Ra. Experimental results present final surface roughness below to 1.49 μm Ra, which represent a reduction of the mean roughness over 80%. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Laser polishing parameter optimisation on selective laser sintered parts

Authors: E. Ukar, A. Lamikiz, L.N. Lopez De Lacalle, D. Del Pozo, F. Liebana, A. Sanchez

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Dept., Univ. of the Basque Country, ETSII, c/Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. ' Mechanical Engineering Dept., Univ. of the Basque Country, ETSII, c/Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. ' Mechanical Engineering Dept., Univ. of the Basque Country, ETSII, c/Alameda de Urquijo s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain. ' Robotiker Technology Centre, Parque Tecnologico, Edif. 202, Zamudio 48170, Spain. ' Robotiker Technology Centre, Parque Tecnologico, Edif. 202, Zamudio 48170, Spain. ' AIJU Technological Center, Avda. de la Industria 23, Ibi 03440, Spain

Abstract: This paper presents the effect of the laser-polishing process applied to parts built-up by selective laser sintering (SLS). One of the main drawbacks of the SLS technique is the high surface roughness of resulting parts. Therefore, a final polishing process is necessary to be valid for operation conditions. Polishing processes are usually carried out by manual abrasive techniques. In the present paper, a surface polishing method based on laser irradiation is presented to automate the polishing operation. The laser polishing process is based on a surface microscopic layer melting, which re-solidifies under shielding gas protective conditions, resulting on a smoother surface. Laser-polishing tests for lines, horizontal areas, inclined planes and a sample real part were performed, with satisfactory results in all the cases. The experimental tests were carried out on LaserForm ST-100^© sintered test parts with an initial roughness of 7.5 to 7.8 μm Ra. Experimental results present final surface roughness below to 1.49 μm Ra, which represent a reduction of the mean roughness over 80%.

Keywords: surface finishing; laser polishing; CO2 lasers; LaserForm ST-100 finishing; selective laser sintering; SLS; surface roughness; surface quality; laser irradiation; rapid prototyping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2010.036148

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2010 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.417 - 432

Published online: 22 Oct 2010 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: Laser polishing parameter optimisation on selective laser sintered parts

Keep up-to-date