1998 / Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings
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Author Hongyun Wang, David Bourell, Joseph J. Beaman, The University of Texas at Austin
Source Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings, 1998, pp 37-46
Abstract Lasers have been widely used in surface modification. In this research a C02 continuous wave laser has been used to polish the slot surface of the silica rods. The strong absorption of the 10.6 micron C02 radiation by the silica surface promotes the softening of a very thin layer of material that flows under the action of surface tension. As a result, a mirror smooth glassy surface has been formed which decreases the surface roughness without any substantial change in the surface geometries. The effect of laser to surface inclination angle on the requisite power requirement was assessed experimentally and theoretically. With laser beam scanning controlled by a computer- aided design (CAD) database without specific tooling or human intervention, reliability and reproducibility of this process have been greatly improved compared to conventional fire polishing. The potential use of laser polishing as a post-processing step for freeform-fabricated parts is very promising. (Auth abstract) [References: 4]
Solid Freeform Fabrication Proceedings can be obtained from: The Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
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The University of Texas at Austin
Laboratory for Freeform Fabrication / Texas Materials Institute
Mechanical Engineering Dept.
c/o The Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium
MC C2200
Austin, TX 78712-1063 USA
512-471-3026; 512-471-7681 FX; Email: sffsymp@uts.cc.utexas.edu