Compound scan mode developed from subarea and contour scan mode for selective laser sintering

Scan mode is an important parameter for selective laser sintering (SLS) processing. The improved mode will optimize scan path and improve the precision, strength and fabrication efficiency of a SLS part. A compound scan mode, which combines subarea scan mode and contour scan mode, is proposed. The principle of its hatch (path-planning) algorithm and implementation are presented. To testify the effectiveness of this compound mode compared to that of subarea scan mode, it has been utilized for researches at a SLS machine developed at Huangzhong University of Science and Technique (HUST). The results from the researches indicate that the degree of precision of a SLS part with the compound scan mode is higher than that with subarea one. There is little difference in the tensile strength, flexural strength, shock strength and fabrication efficiency of a SLS part under the compound scan pattern and the subarea scan mode. Therefore, implementation of the compound scan mode is of importance to improve the precision of a SLS part.