Difference between revisions of "Project:Sinter"
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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. | ||
Revision as of 19:10, 10 February 2012
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 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
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
Heater - Optional heater to bring the powder close to fusing temperature so the laser can move faster.