Empirical laser sintering time estimator for Duraform PA

The paper presents work on the development of a build-time estimator for rapid manufacturing. A time estimator is required to develop a comprehensive costing tool for rapid manufacturing. An empirical method was used to estimate build times using both simulated and actual builds for a laser sintering machine. The estimator presented herein is based upon object geometry and, therefore, the fundamental data driving the model are obtainable from current three-dimensional computer-aided design models. The aim is to define a model describing the build times for a laser sintering machine either for single or multiple objects.