Finite Element Analysis of Curl Development in the Selective Laser Sintering Process

The work reported within this paper is concerned with the development of analytical procedures which will allow the accuracy of parts generated by selective laser sintering to be predicted. One source of inaccuracy is curl, which results in curved part edges of flat plates manufactured lying horizontally in the part bed. This paper reports on the use of finite element techniques to model the development of curl. The models have been validated through comparison of f.e. results with the results of experimental builds, and extended to allow the influence of "bases" on the development of curl to be examined.