Investigation of parameters influencing mechanical properties in SIS by using RSM

The key challenge of selective inhibition sintering process is to select optimal process parameters to fabricate parts with desired dimensions. Heater power, layer thickness, heater feed rate, roller feed rate, and bed temperature are considered as candidate factors to optimise by using RSM. Face centred composite was employed to plan the experimental design with five factors-three levels. The experiments are performed on polyamide (PA12) material through by a novel SIS process. ANOVA was used to verify the adequacy of the developed models. Experimental results revealed that mechanical properties of fabricated parts increased with the decrease in heater power, layer thickness and with the increase in heater feed rate, roller feed rate. The microstructure evaluation was also performed to justify the surface morphology. Comparative study like sensitivity analysis is carried out to measure the impact of process parameters on mechanical properties and the obtained results are validated to select optimal parameters. Copyright © 2019 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.