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Purpose This study aims to investigate the production of scaffolds by selective laser sintering (SLS) using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer, for in vitro studies, a relatively new and growing area in which scaffolds could be used in the design of three-dimensional models for in vitro disease model or tissue equivalent for safety and effectiveness tests. Design/methodology/approach The influence of the SLS process parameters laser power, 26 W and 32 W, and number of laser scans, 1, 2, 4 and 6, on the surface microstructure of the samples and on the degree of crystallinity and chemical stability of PVA material, was investigated using powder with particle size of 20-320 µm. Laser sintered PVA samples were subjected to cell culture tests using osteoblastic cells derived from human osteosarcoma (SaOs-2). Findings The laser power has no significant influence on the microstructure of the laser-sintered samples, however the number of scans has a considerable influence on the sintering degree; the SLS process causes a decrease in the degree of crystallinity and changes the chemical structure of the as-received PVA, especially when using higher laser power and more number of scans. Preliminary in vitro cell culture tests show that the laser-sintered PVA material is biocompatible with SaOs-2 cells. Originality/value SLS offers good potential for the fabrication of scaffolds and thus, may be applied as an alternative to conventional scaffold fabrication processes to overcome their limitations.

Over the years, sinking electrical discharge machining has become one of the most important production technologies to manufacture very accurate three-dimensional complex components on any electrically conductive material. This article reports a literature review on the diversity of conventional and non-conventional materials that are used or have potential to be used as EDM electrodes. In addition, additive manufacturing of EDM electrodes are also reviewed.