Selective laser sintering: Recent advances

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a well-known technique for rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing and rapid tooling and is fast gaining acceptance in various areas of applications such as aerospace, moulding and biomedical. SLS has gone through vast changes since its introduction more than two decades back. The process has become a leading technique for rapid manufacturing and rapid tooling and can process more types of materials than any other rapid prototyping/manufacturing techniques. The present paper gives an overview of the work done with an emphasis on its recent significant advances. The development occurred in the area of various materials (polymers, metals, ceramics) selection, binding mechanism, machines, application has been highlighted.Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a well-known technique for rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing and rapid tooling and is fast gaining acceptance in various areas of applications such as aerospace, moulding and biomedical. SLS has gone through vast changes since its introduction more than two decades back. The process has become a leading technique for rapid manufacturing and rapid tooling and can process more types of materials than any other rapid prototyping/manufacturing techniques. The present paper gives an overview of the work done with an emphasis on its recent significant advances. The development occurred in the area of various materials (polymers, metals, ceramics) selection, binding mechanism, machines, application has been highlighted.