Selective Laser Sintering
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an industrial 3D printing process that produces accurate prototypes and functional production parts in as fast as 1 day. Multiple nylon-based materials are available, which create highly durable final parts.
How Does Selective Laser Sintering Work?
The SLS machine begins sintering each layer of part geometry into a heated bed of nylon-based powder. After each layer is fused, a roller moves across the bed to distribute the next layer of powder. The process is repeated layer by layer until the build is complete.
When the build finishes, the entire powder bed with the encapsulated parts is moved into a breakout station, where it is raised up, and parts are broken out of the bed. An initial brushing is manually administered to remove a majority of loose powder. Parts are then bead blasted to remove any of the remaining residual powder before ultimately reaching the finishing department.
- 1 to 50+ parts
- Shipped in as fast as 1 day
- AS9100 certified
- durable prototypes
- functional, end-use parts
- complex geometries
Watch: Why Use SLS?
See how SLS uses actual thermoplastic and elastomeric materials to produce parts with good mechanical properties. Final parts can be used to test future injection molding designs or as functional, end-use components.
Material Options with SLS
Four different types of nylon materials are available in SLS for different levels of stiffness and ductility.
Design Guidelines
Resources
Accelerate Continuous Improvement with 3D Printing
Industrial 3D Printing for Dummies
Selecting the Right Material for 3D Printing
6 Ways to Cut Costs, Improve Designs with Industrial 3D Printing
