Full-Densification of SLS Parts by Re-Melting

Among commercially available rapid prototyping processes, SLS is the most effective in terms of adaptability of various materials. However, rapid prototyped parts by the process are always porous and the physical properties of the parts are different from dense parts which is to be used in final product. This paper introduces a post process that can densify SLS processed plastic parts to almost 100%. An SLS processed polystyrene part is densified and, resultantly, a much stronger and transparent part is obtained.