Selective Laser Sintering and Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion

Overview

Class Central Tips

Powder bed fusion is one of the additive manufacturing processes that has found the most application in functional part production. In this course we discuss this process in the context of polymers (selective laser sintering) and metals (laser powder bed fusion), with an emphasis on machine setup and post-processing. The necessary elements for each course are lecture videos, knowledge checks, and project completion. For additional information on certain topics, I've included supplemental readings and videos throughout various lessons that might enhance your knowledge. Because all resources are not available to all students, these materials are purely optional. In addition, you will note that some of the lectures feature our department’s graduate students. These excellent students are sometimes closer to the material, having learned it recently, so we greatly appreciate their participation in the instructional process.

Syllabus

Course Introduction

Powder bed fusion is one of the additive manufacturing processes that has found the most application in functional part production. In this course we discuss this process in the context of polymers (selective laser sintering) and metals (laser powder bed fusion), with an emphasis on machine setup and post-processing. The necessary elements for each course are lecture videos, knowledge checks, and project completion. For additional information on certain topics, I've included supplemental readings and videos throughout various lessons that might enhance your knowledge. Because all resources are not available to all students, these materials are optional. In addition, you will note that some of the lectures feature our department’s graduate students. These excellent students are sometimes closer to the material, having learned it recently, so we greatly appreciate their participation in the instructional process.

Module 4.1: Selective Laser Sintering

This module introduces you to selective laser sintering.

Module 4.2: Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion

This module introduces you to metal laser powder bed fusion.

Module 4.3: Course Project and Wrap-Up

A crucial step in qualifying any metal additive manufacturing process is establishing the density of the 3D-printed parts. In this module, you will learn how density is measured using a technique known as the Archimedes method, and you’ll learn how that data is correlated back to the process.