Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a powder-based 3D printing technology that uses a laser to fuse material layers into a final part. The laser traces the pattern of each cross section of a 3D design onto a bed of powder. After one layer is built, the build platform lowers and another layer is built on top of the previous layer. This process continues until every layer is built and the part is complete. SLS is the technology of choice for a range of functional applications, including those with snap fits, living hinges and other mechanical joints. The material range and platform sizes available for SLS also make it a great option for the direct production of products requiring strength and heat resistance.
One of the major benefits of SLS is that it is a self-supporting additive manufacturing technology. Because the product lies in a bed of powder as it builds, no supplementary support structures are required, making SLS capable of producing geometries that no other technology can. The self-supporting nature of SLS also means there is no support removal, enabling complex interior components and monolithic assemblies.
SLS really shines when you need durable plastic parts. SLS parts are known for their robustness, and rival parts produced using traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding. SLS is used in a variety of end-use applications in industries including automotive and aerospace. Considering its robustness and capability to produce highly complex parts, SLS can introduce major time and cost savings for small-run parts that would otherwise require assembly with traditional manufacturing.
SLS is a perfect marriage of functionality, strength, and complexity. Because there is no expensive and inefficient tooling or retooling to worry about, SLS is particularly effective for mass customization for certain low-volume end-use parts. And due to the tendency of SLS parts to stand up against wear and environmental conditions, this technology makes it possible to produce fewer parts. As with other additive manufacturing technologies, SLS allows parts and molds to be stored digitally, using data that will never corrode, get lost in transportation, or require expensive storage. The designs are always available and ready to be produced as needed, even if the original part is unavailable.
The materials available for SLS enable uses ranging from impact-resistant plastics to styrene-based options that are great for plaster and metal castings. SLS is frequently chosen for low- to mid-volume end-use parts like enclosures, snap-fit parts, automotive moldings, and thin-walled ducting. Some of our SLS engineering plastics are made with flame-retardant materials, enabling them to answer aircraft and consumer product requirements. Glass-filled materials are also available, offering greater stiffness and heat resistance, as well as fiber-reinforced plastic for ultimate stiffness. SLS also includes material options on the other end of the spectrum, for rubber-like flexible parts, enabling applications like hoses, gaskets, grip padding, and more.
Strong polyamide 12 thermoplastics that can replace traditionally injection molded articles; includes food-grade, medical-grade, and flame-retardant capable options.
Engineered for greater end-use part performance, these materials are developed with glass, aluminum, or mineral fiber fillers to offer a range of advanced properties in terms of stiffness, temperature resistance, strength, and surface finish.
Impact-resistant polyamide 11 thermoplastics that offer molded-part performance in harsh environments; ideal for snap-fits and living hinges with the flexibility to bounce back to the original shape.
Rubber-like flexibility for prototypes and production parts with excellent memory, tear, and abrasion resistance.
SLS technology produces tough and durable parts that excel in high-performance prototyping and end-use applications. 3D Systems’ DuraForm® SLS materials have been optimized, validated, and tested to ensure quality, with uniform 3D mechanical properties.
Large SLS build capacities paired with fast build times, high-density nesting, and no support structures help you maximize every print for more parts, sooner.
Side-by-side comparison testing shows 3D Systems SLS printers provide best-in-class part quality. Get superior accuracy, part resolution, edge definition, and surface finish with 3D Systems’ SLS solutions.
Manufacture with true nylon materials that answer your application requirements. Whether you need toughness, heat resistance, flame retardancy, flexibility, or food-grade and medical-grade options, the 3D Systems SLS materials portfolio has you covered.
As a self-supporting build methodology, SLS enables the production of complex geometries, such as monolithic designs, lightweight components, and mass-customized products, that could not be manufactured any other way.
