Effect of Orientation and Location on Surface Roughness of SLS PA12 parts

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a widely used additive manufacturing process capable of producing complex geometries with high precision. However, the surface quality of SLS-printed parts, which directly affects their functional performance, remains a critical area of investigation. This study examines the influence of orientation and placement within the build chamber on the surface roughness parameters of PA12 polymer parts. Fifty parts were manufactured in five different orientations and categorized into three placement groups based on their spatial coordinates in the XY plane. The surface roughness parameters (Rt, Rz, RSm) were measured and analysed. The results show that orientation significantly affects SR parameters, with vertically oriented surfaces exhibiting higher roughness compared to horizontally oriented ones. The placement within the chamber displayed less pronounced but notable effects.