Temperature and stress analysis and simulation in fractal scanning-based laser sintering

A model for calculating the evolution of temperature and thermal stresses within a single metallic layer formed on the powder bed using different scanning patterns in selective laser sintering (SLS) was proposed. The model allows for the non-linear behavior of thermal conductivity, specific heat, and elastic modulus due to temperature changes and plastic deformation capabilities with a bilinear isotropic hardening behavior. The effect of laser scanning patterns on temperature, residual thermal stresses and distortion were investigated. It was shown that the distortion and transient stresses of a layer processed by a moving laser beam is decreased with fractal scanning pattern.