Method and devices for integrating functional fibers into a workpiece during a selective laser sintering process and an fdm 3d printing process

Abstract

A process embeds functional fibers in a workpiece during selective laser sintering. In a process variant, parts of a powder layer are sintered before the insertion process, for example using a laser beam. A heating device then subsequently re-melts the already melted workpiece parts. Through a channel in the heating device, the functional fiber is fed to the melt or melt-like mass by means of a feed device and inserted into the melt or melt-like mass at the insertion point. Due to the movement of the heating device, the completely or partially melted area moves away from the heating element and is heated less, causing it to cool and solidify comprising the already inserted functional fiber. This variant can also be used for inserting fibers into objects created, for example, by injection molding or extruder-based 3D printing or other additive manufacturing processes.