Wednesday, 16 May 2018

High Speed Sintering

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the most popular technology when it comes to professional level Additive Manufacturing, Because of its capability of printing fine details and accurate parts. Material choices, low material cost and recycle ability of left over material are also apparent advantages.
Similarly Polyjet technology is also being used widely in the industrial level Additive manufacturing again because its own particular strengths.

High Speed Sintering Process

Professor Neil Hopkinson invented and patented new method by marrying these two methods called "High Speed Sintering". Here is how it works.
  • Layer of powder is spread as per slice thickness.
  • Infrared absorbable ink is spread only in the areas where slice will be built.
  • Bed is irradiated with infrared Lamp.
  • Ink absorbs the energy and melts the underlying particles. 
   Mr Neil who is now director of 3D Printing at Xaar is working on commercialization of the technology in collaboration with Voxeljet . Learn more about the technology at the link below.
Xaar High Speed Sintering

The clip below shows how it works


The process when fully commercialized promised to bring speed and affordability to the high end Additive manufacturing. When it comes to use of additive in mass production, speed is one major hurdle and that is what some of the new processes are trying to improve on.


Voxeljet announced the commercialization of the technology  




References:
Xaar.com
Voxeljet

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