SLS 3D Printing
Imagine a bed of fine powder, meticulously heated to just below its melting point. Now, picture a powerful laser, selectively tracing the contours of your design within this powder bed. As the laser passes, it fuses the powder particles together, solidifying a thin layer of your 3D object. This process, known as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), repeats layer by layer, gradually building your design like a digital sculptor shaping a masterpiece from sand.
With each pass of the laser, the unfused powder remains in place, acting as a support structure and eliminating the need for additional supports. Hollow shapes and dense, three-dimensional grid patterns can be formed easily and with minimal post-processing. Once the printing is complete, the excess powder is brushed away, revealing a fully formed, highly durable product.
The SLS Printing Process
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) uses a high-powered laser to fuse powdered material into a solid object. Think of it as a sculptor creating a form from a block of sand, except with a laser and incredible precision. The process begins with a thin layer of fine powder being spread across the build platform. The laser then precisely scans the cross-section of your part, selectively heating and fusing the powder particles together.
The build platform then lowers slightly, and a new layer of powder is spread over the top. The laser repeats the process, fusing the new layer to the one below,. This cycle is repeated layer by layer until the entire object is complete. Because the unfused powder supports the part during printing, it is possible to create complex geometries and intricate internal features without the need for additional support structures.
1
Design Consultation with Specialized 3D Printing Engineer
2
Quoting Based on Complexity, Material Type, Lead Time
3
Pre-production: 3D Modeling, Slicing, Print Optimization
4
Production Using Polyamide 12 (PA 12) in SLS Printers
5
Post-production: Sandblasting, Painting, Assembly
6
Quality Control, Packaging, and Shipping
Pros
SLS 3D Printing is renowned for its ability to produce highly complex, functional parts without the need for support structures. This process is able to achieve a level of geometric complexity that is not possible with other manufacturing methods or 3D printing formats. Parts made through SLS have excellent mechanical properties, making this format a powerful solution for both prototyping and final-part manufacturing.
COns
SLS manufacturing requires specialized knowledge and equipment, making the process more expensive than other 3D printing formats. The raw material, a fine polymer powder, is also more costly than regular 3D printing filament. While the results have excellent strength and durability, additional post processing from our expert technicians is necessary to achieve a fully smooth finish.
