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Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing TechnologiesFig. 2.9 Schematic of selective laser sintering process(Source: CustomPartNet)Since the sintering operation is performed by high power laser, the building platformand the powder bed need to be pre-heated by infrared heaters and kept in a certaintemperature during processing to avoid part deformation. Nitrogen gas, as protectivegas, is launched into the working chamber throughout the sintering process toprevent oxidization reaction. Unlike SLA, special support structures are not requiredbecause the excess powder in each layer acts as self-support function while the partbeing built except processing of metal powder.Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is the parented term used to describe the processof metal powder sintering developed by EOS Company. The major competitiveadvantage among DMLS and SLS provided by 3D systems is no further infiltrationprocess required in which SLS metal “green” part is required to be placed into afurnace, temperature in excess 900 °C, for removal of polymer binder and infiltratingwith bronze.Page 16IC Professional Training