In this article, we propose to investigate the capabilities of the laser sintering process for the direct manufacturing of plastic injection tools. First, we describe the laser sintering process.

This process is developed at GIP/GERAILP in one project related to direct manufacturing of mould for plastic injection : ANTIOPE. The demonstrator developed during this project is presented through its main components : the layering system, the laser and the scanning device.

Then, we describe the part to achieve and analyze its complexity in respect to the process. The parameters for the proposed materials (stainless steel or tool steel) are presented.

Finally, the manufactured parts are presented and analyzed in term of surface roughness, dimensions and quality of the material.

Topics
Sintering
1.
Rapid prototyping primer
,
William
Palm
 (May
1998
), revised 30 July 2002,
Penn State Learning Factory
Google Scholar
 
2.
Y.
Tang
,
H.T.
Loh
,
Y.S.
Wong
,
J.Y.H.
Fuh
,
L.
Lu
,
X.
Wang
, (
2003
),
Direct Laser sintering of a copper-based alloy for creating three-dimensional metal parts
,
Journal of Material Processing Technology
,
140
, pp
368
–
372
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(03)00766-0
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
3.
C.
Over
,
W.
Meiners
,
K.
Wissenbach
,,
J.
Hutfless
,
M.
Lindemann
, (
2003
),
Rapid Manufacturing of metal parts and tools using Laser Melting
,
Proceedings of the 2nd International WLT-Conference on Lasers in Manufacturing
2
, pp
265
–
269
Google Scholar
 
4.
W.
Meiners
, (
1999
), Direktes Selektives Laser Sintern einkomponentiger metallischer Werkstoffe,
ILT
,
5.
W.
Löschau
,
St.
Nowotny
,
K.-P.
Wieters
,
B.
Kieback
, (
1996
),
Liquid-Phase Sintering of Composite Powders by Using a Laser for Rapid Prototyping of Refractory Metallic Parts
,
International Conference on Rapid Product Development (RPD
),
10.06.-11.06.96
,
Stuttgart
,
Tagungsband
, pp
165
–
174
Google Scholar
 
6.
A.
Techel
,
S.
Nowotny
,
A.
Nagy
,
R.
Lenk
, (
2003
),
Laser Sintering of Complex-Shaped Ceramic Prototypes
,
22nd International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics, ICALEO 2003
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
7.
V.
Fux
,
St.
Nowotny
,
W.
Reitzenstein
,, (
1996
),
Structure and mechanical properties of laser generated metallic prototypes
,
International Conference on Rapid Product Development (RPD)
,
Stuttgart
Google Scholar
 
8.
S.
Das
,
J.J.
Beaman
,
M.
Wohlert
,
D.L.
Bourell
, (
1998
),
Direct Laser freeform fabrication of high performance components
,
Rapid Prototyping, Journal
,
4
(
3
) pp
112
–
117
https://doi.org/10.1108/13552549810222939
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
9.
J.
Hans
,
L.
Gideon
,
S.
Ralf
, (
2003
),
New trends and applications in rapid prototyping technologies
,
Proc of IE&EM’2003
,
Shangai, China
Google Scholar
 
11.
EOS
,
Trumpf develops in cooperation with EOS a system for Direct metal laser-melting
,
EOS Press
12.
N.
Coulon
,
P.
Aubry
, (
2004
),
Result on laser sintering system for direct manufacturing of metallic or ceramic components
,
Proceedings of the 23rd Conference International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics, ICALEO 2004
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
12.
N.
Coulon
,
P.
Aubry
,
P.
Teulet
, (
2005
),
New trends in laser sintering: analysis of the process and new applications
, paper #601,
Proceedings of the 24th International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics, ICALEO 2005
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2006 Laser Institute of America.
2006
Laser Institute of America
You do not currently have access to this content.