Development of an integrated model for selective laser sintering

Complex physical processes with many single mechanisms, each affecting the other, can be investigated by creating submodels. Submodels enable a better understanding of partial aspects, because fuzzy and not obvious interactions are eliminated. Finally the submodels are merged to an integrated model, representing the base for process simulation, for example. The development of an integrated model for Selective Metal Laser Sintering, composed of four different submodels, is presented.