• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.1383-1388
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• 2007

Accuracy and processing time are very important factors when the desired shape is fabricated with Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), one of Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) systems. In a conventional SLS process, laser spot size is fixed during laser exposing on the sliced figure. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately and rapidly fabricate the desired shape. In this paper, to deal with those problems an SFF system having ability of changing spot size is developed. The system provides high accuracy and optimal processing time. Specifically, a variable beam expander is employed to adjust spot size for different figures on a sliced shape. Finally, Design and performance estimation of the SFF system employing a variable beam expander are achieved and the mechanism will be addressed to measure the real spot size generated from the variable beam expander.