Custom Laser Cutter Prints 3d Objects With Powder

Researchers at Rice University in Texas have converted a laser cutter into an open source selective laser sinter platform. With the converted laser cutter, 3D objects can be formed from powders or small spheres of plastics and biomaterials.

According to the researchers, the platform called OpenSLS costs many times less than a normal 3D laser sinter. Because the platform is open source, researchers can more easily use their own materials with very specific properties, such as biomaterials.

With OpenSLS, structures in nylons can be sintered in the sub-millimeter regions. The researchers also showed in their paper on Plos ONE that it is possible to print supporting material for applications where bone tissue must later be formed in a living organism.

Selective laser sintering has been around for over twenty years and is useful for forming large overhangs and fine branches in 3D printed parts. At sls, powder is melted into a solid product using a laser. The sinter powder is pushed up through a table, while a second table descends, where the model is formed. The sinter powder is always swept over the table where the model is formed with a roller, after which the laser melts the powder together in the right place.

Source: PLOS One

The researchers were looking for an SLS system that would allow them to add their own materials, which is often difficult with commercially available machines. The sinter machine built by the team also allowed experiments with biomaterials instead of just specific materials, such as plastics or metals.

OpenSLS should bring sintering within reach of labs. All hardware designs and software modifications can be found on GitHub. The cutter’s laser has the correct wavelength, around 10 micrometers, making it easy to convert a laser cutter.