SLS Inventor Carl Deckard Dies

Inventor and educator Carl Deckard, credited as the inventor of selective laser sintering (SLS) technology for additive manufacturing, died on December 23, 2019.

Deckard also created the 4-stroke Deckard Engine and several polymers used for 3D printing applications.

During his summer internship while studying at the University of Texas at Austin, Deckard and Dr. Joe Beaman developed the SLS process. He continued his work on the technology with help from a grant from the National Science Foundation, eventually earning his PhD in the process.

The university licensed the technology from Deckard in 1988. He founded Nova Automation, which was later renamed DTM Corp and then acquired by 3D Systems. He went on to found Structured Polymers, where he also served as chief technology officer. That company was also acquired by Evonik.

In 2016, the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) selected Deckard as the recipient of its annual Innovator Award. He held 27 patents.

In lieu of flowers, Deckard's family has requested that donations be sent to Austin Pets Alive.