Sustainability Study in Selective Laser Sintering – An Energy Perspective

Abstract

This paper presents a sustainability analysis of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) from an energy standpoint. Data of electrical power consumed by the system over an entire build were acquired using a LabVIEW 8.6 circuit. The power drawn by individual subsystems were also measured, and an energy balance was performed. These data were then used to arrive at a Total Energy Indicator of the process with the help of a specific type of Environmental and Resource Management Data (ERMD) known as Eco-Indicators, which indicates the level of sustainability of the process.