<h1>No</h1>
<p>The problem is twofold. Resonance and Granular convection</p>
<h2>Resonance</h2>
<p>Let's start with an empty box. We toss in some powder to create the first layer and use an ultrasonic to create a first layer. What happens? The bed starts to resonate depending on the sound you send into it in patterns - and the powder starts to form valleys and ridges along them as one can see in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvJAgrUBF4w" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this video</a>.</p>
<h2>Granular Convection</h2>
<p>What happens if one shakes a box of fine granulate that contains larger items? <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granular_convection" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Granular convection</a> happens! All items raise simultaneously and the small items start to fall first, resulting in them getting under the larger ones, so as a result end up pushing the large items up.</p>
<p>Because of both effects, there won't be an even layer <strong>and</strong> it would raise the items printed, even if we managed to get good layers.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-05-19T15:15:11.470Z
2019-05-19T16:06:01.183Z
2020-06-18T08:29:41.667Z
Trish
<p>I've been thinking, SLS/SLM printers currently use a roller to spread 3d printing substrate, but wouldn't ultrasonic vibrations spread the substrate more cleanly, accurately, and with greater density than a roller?</p>

<sls><slm>
Could you use ultrasonic vibrations instead of a roller with an SLS/SLM printer?
Steve Mucci
# Could you use ultrasonic vibrations instead of a roller with an SLS/SLM printer?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-05-19)

I've been thinking, SLS/SLM printers currently use a roller to spread 3d printing substrate, but wouldn't ultrasonic vibrations spread the substrate more cleanly, accurately, and with greater density than a roller?

**Tags:** sls, slm


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-05-19. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

# No

The problem is twofold. Resonance and Granular convection

## Resonance

Let's start with an empty box. We toss in some powder to create the first layer and use an ultrasonic to create a first layer. What happens? The bed starts to resonate depending on the sound you send into it in patterns - and the powder starts to form valleys and ridges along them as one can see in [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvJAgrUBF4w).

## Granular Convection

What happens if one shakes a box of fine granulate that contains larger items? [Granular convection](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granular_convection) happens! All items raise simultaneously and the small items start to fall first, resulting in them getting under the larger ones, so as a result end up pushing the large items up.

Because of both effects, there won't be an even layer **and** it would raise the items printed, even if we managed to get good layers.


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