COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY OF MODELS MANUFACTURED USING SLS TECHNOLOGY

The measurement of the geometric structure of a surface is a key issue in determining the useful characteristics of the component under study. The main objective of the presented research was to compare methods of assessing the geometric structure of the surface of models made using additive technology of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). In the research carried out, optical measuring instruments using the following methods were used: focal differential, confocal, interferometric and contact profilometer as a reference method. Tests for the optical methods were carried out using a LEICA DCM8 multisensor instrument with a x50 magnification lens and for the contact method using a Form Talysurf PGI 1230 profilometer. The samples were made from PA 2200 polyamide powder. The test results showed differences in the number of non-measured points and the measurement time. The lowest number of non-measured points and the shortest measurement time were the results obtained using the focal variation method. The results from the contact method showed lower values for all evaluated roughness parameters than the optical methods.