@article{BluemelSachsLaumeretal., author = {Bl{\"u}mel, Christina and Sachs, Marius and Laumer, Tobias and Winzer, Bettina and Schmidt, Jochen and Schmidt, Michael and Peukert, Wolfgang and Wirth, Karl-Ernst}, title = {Increasing flowability and bulk density of PE-HD powders by a dry particle coating process and impact on LBM processes}, series = {Rapid Prototyping Journal}, volume = {21}, journal = {Rapid Prototyping Journal}, number = {6}, publisher = {Emerald}, issn = {1758-7670}, doi = {10.1108/RPJ-07-2013-0074}, pages = {697 -- 704}, abstract = {Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the processability of cohesive PE-HD particles in laser beam melting processes (LBM) of polymers. Furthermore, we present a characterization method for polymer particles, which can predict the quality of the powder deposition via LBM processes. Design/methodology/approach - This study focuses on the application of dry particle coating processes to increase flowability and bulk density of PE-HD particles. Both has been measured and afterwards validated via powder deposition of PE-HD particles in a LBM machine. Findings - For efficient coating in a dry particle coating process, the PE-HD particles and the attached nanoparticles need to show similar surface chemistry, i.e. both need to behave either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. It is demonstrated that dry particle coating is appropriate to enhance flowability and bulk density of PE-HD particles and hence considerably improves LBM processes and the resulting product quality. Originality/value - At present, in LBM processes mainly polyamide (PA), 12 particles are used, which are so far quite expensive in comparison to, for example, PE-HD particles. This work provides a unique and versatile method for nanoparticulate surface modification which may be applied to a wide variety of materials. After the coating, the particles are applicable for the LBM process. Our results provide a correlation between flowability and bulk density and the resulting product quality.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{LaumerStichelSachsetal., author = {Laumer, Tobias and Stichel, T. and Sachs, Marius and Amend, Philipp and Schmidt, Michael}, title = {Qualification and modification of new polymer powders for laser beam melting using Ulbricht spheres}, series = {High value manufacturing : Advanced research in virtual and rapid prototyping ; Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Advanced Research and Rapid Prototyping, Leiraia, Portugal, 1-5 October, 2013}, booktitle = {High value manufacturing : Advanced research in virtual and rapid prototyping ; Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Advanced Research and Rapid Prototyping, Leiraia, Portugal, 1-5 October, 2013}, editor = {B{\´a}rtolo, Paulo}, publisher = {CRC Press}, address = {Boca Raton}, isbn = {978-1-138-00137-4}, pages = {255 -- 260}, abstract = {The restricted amount of available materials for Laser Beam Melting (LBM) of polymers is one of the main limitations for expanding the technology. Current qualification methods deal with problems like inadequate powder flowability or high part porosities among others but do not offer a detailed analysis of the important beam-matter-interaction between powder particles and electro-magnetic laser radiation. In this paper, polyethylene powder is qualified for the LBM process and specifically analyzed regarding the optical material properties of the powder for a wavelength of 10.6 μm. By admixing graphite as absorption intensifier the change of the optical material properties and the thereby connected processing parameters are analyzed. Furthermore an explanation approach is given to explain the relation between different transmittances of different powder particles and the optical material properties of the polymer powders.}, language = {en} }