Rapid Manufacturing Technology for Precision Casting MouldBased on Selective Laser Sintering

The selective laser sintering (SLS) technique is introduced. A new type of rapid prototyping material (PCPI) has been developed, which can be used to produce precision casting mould directly and rapidly from a CAD model by the selective sintering of successive layers of PCPI with a laser beam. In comparison with conventional manufacturing methods, prominent features of this technique include high forming rate, low development cost and good flexibility. The rapid manufacturing process of precision casting mould based on SLS is discussed.