A Finite Element Model of Multi-Layered Laser Sintered Parts

Afinite element heat transfer analysis is applied to the selective laser sinteringofa layered part made frompolyroerpowder. The sinteringsubroutine in the code is based on the analyses of Scherer [l t2] and Mackenzie and Shuttleworth [3]. The density and conductivity of the particle bed are treated as functions of the void fraction of the bed. The Yagi - Kunii [4] thermal characterization of the powder bed is used to calculate the effective conductivity of the bed. An example is worked for ABS powder.