Mw. Khaing et al., Direct metal laser sintering for rapid tooling: processing and characterisation of EOS parts, J MATER PR, 113(1-3), 2001, pp. 269-272
Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) fabricates metal prototypes and tools d
irectly from computer aided design (CAD) data. The process is popular in ra
pid tooling (RT),since a suitable metal powder can be used to produce the m
etal parts and tools. The powder system may be pre-alloyed powder or multi-
phase powder. The properties of the RT parts, however, depend on its compos
ition and solidification conditions. Accuracy, wear resistance and mechanic
al properties are critical on choosing the rapid tooling mould as the produ
ction-grade tooling. This study includes the design of metal prototypes whi
ch are then fabricated by EOS's DMLS. The EOS material system is a mixture
of nickel, bronze and copper-phosphide material. The dimensional accuracy,
surface roughness, impact toughness, hardness, and strength of EOS parts ar
e measured. SEM pictures of EOS parts are also thoroughly analysed. (C) 200
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