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Project:Sinter: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "Let us build a laser sinter. The plan is to build a selective laser sinter to fuse plastic powder. How it works A laser moves over a 2D area of powder fusing the powder into a...") |
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The plan is to build a selective laser sinter to fuse plastic powder. | The plan is to build a selective laser sinter to fuse plastic powder. | ||
How it works | ==How it works== | ||
A laser moves over a 2D area of powder fusing the powder into a solid. When one layer is finished the bed of powder drops and a new layer of powder is added. The process is repeated until an object is created. | A laser moves over a 2D area of powder fusing the powder into a solid. When one layer is finished the bed of powder drops and a new layer of powder is added. The process is repeated until an object is created. | ||
Parts of the project | ==Parts of the project== | ||
Electronics - A microprocessor that can control stepper motors, trigger the laser & monitor the system for faults. This is probably the hardest part of the project. Status: Finished. | * Electronics - A microprocessor that can control stepper motors, trigger the laser & monitor the system for faults. This is probably the hardest part of the project. Status: Finished. | ||
Laser - Need to know wattage and frequency needed by the powder. | * Laser - Need to know wattage and frequency needed by the powder. | ||
powder - Consider using black PLA plastic as it smells nice when heated. | powder - Consider using black PLA plastic as it smells nice when heated. | ||
Overhead gantry - used to move the laser or laser-beam in X,Y space. | * Overhead gantry - used to move the laser or laser-beam in X,Y space. | ||
Powder hopper - a powder holder. | * Powder hopper - a powder holder. | ||
Build area - a hole under the laser that drops down smoothly and evenly a distance as small as 50 nanometers to make space for the next layer of powder. | * Build area - a hole under the laser that drops down smoothly and evenly a distance as small as 50 nanometers to make space for the next layer of powder. | ||
powder mover - Something to move the powder from the hopper to the build area. needs to pack powder down to a uniform hight without disturbing the layer below. | powder mover - Something to move the powder from the hopper to the build area. needs to pack powder down to a uniform hight without disturbing the layer below. | ||
Case - A container to stop the Hackspace filling with fine powder. Maybe with glove holes and compressed air so the printed parts can be cleaned without opening. | * Case - A container to stop the Hackspace filling with fine powder. Maybe with glove holes and compressed air so the printed parts can be cleaned without opening. | ||
Heater - Optional heater to bring the powder close to fusing temperature so the laser can move faster. | Heater - Optional heater to bring the powder close to fusing temperature so the laser can move faster. | ||
