Question

powder bed fusion technologies (sls)
use the information below to answer the question.
selective laser sintering (sls) is part of the powder bed fusion process. similar to the
sla process, sls uses a powder bed area, heats up the powder, and uses a build
plate. most sls applications will use a thermoplastic, polymer powder, that is similar
to the type of material used in the fused filament fabrication technology. the build
plate will have a thin layer of the polymer powder laid on it, and then a heat source
will sinter or melt the layers together.

motors located within the xy axis will focus a laser to selectively connect and fuse the
polymer powder together. once the laser has fused the first layer, it will move down
and a fresh layer of polymer powder will be laid on the created layer that has already
been sintered.

the laser will fuse the next layer to the previous layer, and it will continue to recoat
and sinter until the entire form is created. it stays in the vat of powder.

with selective laser sintering, you have to wait for the vat to cool down before the
forms are removed. the forms will be covered with powder, which is cleaned off with
high - pressure air, and then they are ready for post production processes.

advantages
one advantage is that structure to support the form is not needed. overhangs do not
cause issues and the powder will support it up the next layer. another advantage is
that the powder remains in the vat and 90% of the powder is reusable after the
process. it also allows for the full capacity of the vat to be used which makes batch
productions possible.

what type of powder will most sls machines use?

a magnetic charged powder

a thermoplastic polymer powder

an organic biodegradable powder

a hydro - plated metal powder

Explanation:

The text states "Most SLS applications will use a thermoplastic, polymer powder". By comparing with the options, we can find the correct one.

Answer:

B. a thermoplastic polymer powder