Browsing by Subject "Polymer Laser Sintering"

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    Layerwise Monitoring of Polymer Laser Sintering Using Thermal Imaging
    (University of Texas at Austin, 2014) Abdelrahman, Mostafa; Starr, Thomas L.
    Polymer Laser Sintering (LS) is used increasingly for manufacture of end-use parts. Improved methods of monitoring the process are needed to certify the quality of these parts. This paper describes the use of high resolution infrared thermal imaging to monitor the temperature of individual layers before, during and after laser scanning. The time-temperature history of each point in a layer depends on process parameters and part geometry. This history also controls the sintering and crystallization process for a single volume element of the part and its mechanical properties. Proposed new process control schemes may use this monitoring data to ensure that all volume elements achieve full density. The proposed framework includes creating a 3D template of the input model. This template simulates the part fabrication in the SLS machine. Registration of this template to the monitor data creates a 3D quality certificate for the part.