Rapid prototyping has evolved from polymer form and fit components to fully functional metallic form, fit and functional parts. Advances in build speeds and fill density as well as the creation of titanium, stainless, aluminum and cobalt chrome powders has taken laser based rapid prototyping fully into the realms of tool free rapid production.
This paper presents new results on the performance of fiber lasers, with the fiber laser enabling better surface finish and fill density. Equipment, materials and applications associated with this process are presented, and the laser attributes required to deliver high quality rapid manufactured parts are considered in detail.
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© 2006 Laser Institute of America.
2006
Laser Institute of America
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