ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the special group of solid-based additive manufacturing systems which primarily use powder as the basic medium for prototyping. Some of the systems in this group, such as selective laser sintering, bear similarities to the liquid-based additive manufacturing systems described in Chapter 3, i.e. they generally have a laser to “draw” the part layer by layer, but the medium used for building the model is a powder instead of photocurable resin. Others, like ColorJet printing, have similarities with the solid-based additive manufacturing systems described in Chapter 4. The common feature among these systems described in this chapter is that the material used for building the part or prototype is invariably powder-based. Powder-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies have been evaluated for use in different fields of application (aerospace, medical, etc.). Ideally, AM parts should be at least equivalent to, or preferably better than, the quality of conventionally produced parts. 3D Systems, SLS, CJP Technology, EOS’s EOSINT systems, Optomec’s Lens and aerosol jet systems, and other powder-based manufacturing systems are highlighted in this chapter.
