Selective Laser Sintering Technology

Order your parts 3D printed with SLS for rapid prototyping and end-use production. Discover the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing technology and how you can use it to produce your objects from 1 - 10k parts.

What is SLS 3D printing technology?

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) is an additive manufacturing method. This industrial 3D printing process create accurate parts, which can be made of multiple nylon-based materials or thermoplastic polyurethane. It creates parts additively by sintering fine polymer powder particles, to fuse them together locally. Your plastic part will be created layer by layer, according to your 3D model.

How does SLS 3D printing work? During the 3D printing process, the SLS machine preheats the bulk powder material in the powder bed somewhat below its melting point, to make it easier for the laser to raise the temperature of the selected regions the rest of the way to the melting point. A roller will apply a layer of polymer powder, then the laser will sinter the powder according to the 3D file and the build platform will lower before applying a new layer of powder. The process will be repeated until the desired part is created.

Compared to other additive manufacturing processes such as Stereolithography (SLA) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) does not require support structures since the powder acts as self supporting material. This allows intricate and complex geometries to be constructed. 

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SLS 3D printing technology

Why choose SLS 3D printing technology?

Whether you’re producing single objects, small batches, or mass-producing, Selective Laser Sintering 3D printing is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to 3D print high quality objects.

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Support free

With powder-based 3D printing your designs can take any geometry without the limitations of supports

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1 – 10k parts

SLS allows for producing multiple parts in one print job. It is the most efficient way to mass-produce

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Design freedom

Design-driven manufacturing allows you to produce complex geometries at any scale of production

SLS 3D Printing Materials

On our online 3D printing service, you can now order seven materials produced with SLS 3D printers. Discover the range of materials now!

Advantages of SLS 3D printing

Selective Laser Sintering process is a powder-bed technology, in opposition to some 3D printing methods such as FDM or SLA, you don’t need to create support structures for your parts. The powder will act as a natural support, less chance of damaging the intricate interior geometries that 3D printing is capable of making because the support structure doesn’t need to be removed. Freedom of design, just like for any 3D printing process, is an important part of using SLS. From perfectly optimized parts to all-in-one assemblies, you can build the best version of your project with this powder-bed technology.  SLS 3D printing gives you access to a large variety of material as well as many finishings achieving high-quality surfaces for your end-use components. On-demand manufacturing is a real opportunity to adapt your production to demand. You will be able to avoid minimum order quantities, perfect for limited editions or series production. Moreover, the accuracy and consistency of the parts printed with SLS makes it an ideal manufacturing choice for the production of large quantities, or series.  One of the strength of this industrial manufacturing process is also the possibility of making complex geometries as long as you respect the design guidelines. Also, while using Selective Laser Sintering you benefit from interesting mechanical properties, allowing to produce functional parts or prototypes. 

Applications with SLS

SLS 3D printing can be an advantage for numerous applications: footwear, sports equipment, aerospace, drone, robotics, tooling, snap fit or housing. From medical to architecture or consumer goods, SLS 3D printing can have benefits for your prototypes and your whole manufacturing process. Every business can benefit from Additive Manufacturing, contact our 3D printing experts to identify your 3D printing opportunities.

Design guidelines for SLS

Material Layer thickness Maximum size Accuracy Advantages
Nylon PA12 100 – 120µm (white/unpolished) 675 x 366 x 545 mm ± 0.3% (minimum of ± 0.3 mm) Versatile
Ultrasint® PA11 100µm 190 x 240 x 315 mm X-Y : +/- 0,3 % (min : 0,4mm) Z : +/- 0,6 % (min : 0,6mm) Bio-sourced, Versatile
Nylon PA12 (grey) 100µm (unpolished) 190 x 240 x 315 mm ± 0.45% (minimum of ± 0.45 mm) Versatile
Nylon 3200 Glass-Filled 100µm (white/unpolished) 190 mm x 240 mm x 315 mm ± 0.45% (minimum of ± 0.45 mm) Resistant
Alumide 150µm (raw) 190 mm x 240 mm x 315 mm ± 0.45% (minimum of ± 0.45 mm) Metallic appearance
Ultrasint® PA11 CF 100µm 260 x 260 x 260 mm ± 0.3% (minimum of ± 0.3 mm) High rigidity, excellent impact resistance, high strength-to-weight ratio
Ultrasint® PA11 ESD 100µm 150x 200x 250 mm ± 0.4% (minimum of ± 0.4 mm) Electrostatic discharging properties
Ultrasint® PA6 MF 100µm 360 x 360 x 420 mm X-Y : +/- 0,4 % (min : 0,4mm) Z: +/- 0,8 % (min : 0,8mm) High strength, airtight, watertight, chemical resistant
Ultrasint® TPU 88A 100µm 300 x 300 x 300 mm ± 0.3% (minimum of ± 0.3 mm) High flexibility, great shock absoption

Finishes available for SLS 3D Printing

While using SLS you can access numerous finishing option to give your an unique look and a high quality surface to your 3D printed parts

Dyeing

Painting

Plating

Chemical Smoothing

Polishing

Color Touch

Color Resist

Using Sculpteo's SLS 3D Printing Service

Sculpteo provides you the best online 3D Printing Services for your plastic parts. Put your components into production in a few clicks by uploading your 3D file for free, with a manufacturability analysis. An instant quote will be generated once you upload your CAD file. Once your order is placed, our team of 3D printing professionals will take care of the printing process and post-process of your project. Thanks to our expertise in SLS technology, you can choose between several polymers and finishes, instantly receive a quote, and let us handle the manufacturing in our ISO 9001 certified factory.

Sculpteo offers the opportunity to create precise components with quality and strength equivalent to injection molding. Using our SLS 3D printing facility for your prototyping and small-batch manufacturing. 1500m2 factory, with +30 industrial 3D printers, including the 11 EOS 3D printers used to manufacture your SLS parts

Start using SLS today by uploading a 3D file.

Find more resources about SLS 3D printing

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