SLS 3D printing technology

3D printing process using SLS

Selective Laser sintering (SLS) is a powder bed technology that uses polymer powders. A laser beam allows particles to be selectively fused within a temperature-controlled chamber in such a way that the powder is self-supporting and there is no need for support structures. This technology offers excellent finishes with almost no post-processing. The optimal balance between properties and price has made SLS technology the most demanded technology in the industry.

Prior to manufacturing, it is crucial to nest the parts to achieve high volume densities in the build. The SLS printing process begins by heating the chamber just below the melting temperature of the polymer. Then, a compacting roller spreads the fine powder particles on the surface of the platform so that a laser can selectively sinter each layer of the part. When the layer is sintered, the entire platform is lowered a few microns to repeat this process over and over again until the parts are finished.

Technical specifications of SLS technology

Types

Single laser

Features

200 micron XY resolution
Layer thickness of 110 microns
Automatic quality control
10W laser power

Technical advantages of SLM technology

Nesting with high part density

No building supports required

Good tolerances

Anisotropic properties

Reduced part cost and manufacturing time

What is post-processing in SLS technology?

The cooling of the chamber must be controlled to avoid residual stresses and deformations in the parts. Once cooled, the chamber is opened to remove the surrounding material that has not been sintered by the laser. The unsintered powder can be reused in subsequent productions following a specific mixing ratio with the virgin powder. The parts are cleaned by compressed air and blasting to leave their surface clean of unsintered particles. Finally, the parts can be vapor smoothed and/or dyed.

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3D printing process

Step 1: 3D file

Send us your 3D file ready for printing. If you do not have the file, send us the piece and we will generate the CAD file.

If you need a design from scratch, our designers will be happy to make proposals.

Step 2: 3D printing

We generate the process file adapted to the technology and material to be used in the manufacture of your part.

We prepare and condition the printer to ensure optimal quality.

Step 3: Cleaning and post-processing

This step is key to meeting your requirements and one in which we are highly specialised.

The removal of printing supports, heat treatments and surface finishing (blasting, polishing, machining) are the most common post-processing steps.

Applications of SLS technology

SLS 3D printing has great potential for application in the industrial sector due to the quality of its parts. In addition, it is one of the most suitable 3D printing technologies for the production of short series, being more cost-effective than conventional technologies for batches of hundreds or even thousands of units.

Final parts

Complex geometries

Aesthetic parts

Prototyping

Short series

Printing machinery

SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING (SLS)

Formlabs Fuse 1+30W

The FUSE 1 + 30W equipment allows for waste-free printing thanks to its optimised compaction density and powder recyclability, which reduces the cost per part. Its powerful 30W laser produces high-precision parts in record time.

Working volume: The build volume is 165x165x300 mm.

Quality: Its carefully calibrated settings and high compatibility with the most popular powders for SLS enable the production of high-performance parts.