Laser polishing as a new post process for 3D-printed polymer parts
Karsten Braun, Edgar Willenborg, Johannes Henrich Schleifenbaum
Abstract
A process strategy – a quasi-top-hat scanning strategy with closed-loop temperature control – for laser polishing of additively manufactured polymer parts is developed to reduce the process to its two main process parameter, polishing temperature and melt duration. A study for SLS-printed PA12 results in an achievable roughness reduction from an initial roughness of Sa = 10.2 µm to Sa = 0.61 µm. Further investigations are performed for PP, TPU, ABS and PEEK.
Topics & Concepts
PolishingMaterials sciencePeekSurface roughnessSurface finishLaserChemical-mechanical planarizationProcess (computing)Composite materialPolymerReduction (mathematics)Mechanical engineeringOpticsComputer scienceEngineeringMathematicsPhysicsGeometryOperating systemAdditive Manufacturing and 3D Printing TechnologiesAdditive Manufacturing Materials and ProcessesManufacturing Process and Optimization