Geometric Accuracy of Components Manufactured by SLS Technology Regarding the Orientation of the Model during 3D Printing

Abstract

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) or sintering of polymer powders is one of the most well-known additive technologies for printing 3D components. The properties of individual polymer powder materials have a significant impact on the quality of the manufactured part. Potential deformation and shrinkage can occur during printing if a significant number of parts are piled on top of one another or are oriented incorrectly, accumulating thermal energy in certain areas. The aforementioned research focuses on an experimental study to investigate the impact of the distribution and orientation of printing samples in the build chamber on the accuracy of dimensions and the surface roughness of PA12 prints. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of model settings during production as well as the effect of individual factors on the properties of manufactured parts, with a focus on ensuring that heat rises evenly from each print without accumulating.