SLS - Selective Laser Sintering
SLS is often used where the functionality and durability of the part are important. By choosing from our many different materials, you can get parts with extreme flexibility, rigidity and resistance to aging.
Do you need a functional prototype? Or do you want a durable part for serial production? Let us help you to accelerate your production with our expertise in additive manufacturing and our top-class machine park.
For functional and durable parts through additive manufacturing.
What is SLS – Selective Laser Sintering?
The SLS technology is capable of producing robust plastic parts suitable for both prototyping and large-scale production. When prioritizing functionality and durability, SLS is the ideal choice. For example, details for prototypes or series production where you have tough mechanical requirements can be advantageously produced in our SLS machines.
Our machines ensure fast, repetitive and high-quality production of durable parts. This additive manufacturing method allows us to create parts directly from your CAD data, eliminating the need for initial tooling.
Historically, one drawback of SLS technology was the somewhat rough surface finish of the parts. However, recent technological advancements have significantly enhanced precision and surface quality.
Through various post-processing techniques, we can create design models that closely resemble final products. This involves processes such as polishing, lacquering, adding different surface textures, graphics, prints, and colors to achieve the desired appearance.
High Quality Solutions
Our intelligent harmonization of system, materials, and process parameters ensures that you get the best quality parts possible.
Within the Prototal Group, we have one of Europe’s largest capacities of EOS laser sintering machines, counting more than 50 machines. Only in Ystad, Sweden, we have 12 EOS machines, enabling fast production.
FAQs
SLS is the best option if you need your product to be made from a durable material. By choosing different materials, you can get parts with extreme flexibility and rigidity.
The technology is also a reliable, precise and one of the fastest ways to produce parts. Low cost per part with high productivity. Excellent mechanical properties.
The SLS printer uses a laser to melt the polymer powder and fuse it into a 3D printed part. After the layers are heated, a new layer of powder is spread on top of the previous one and the process is repeated until the entire run is completed. The part is produced one layer at a time. When the machine is finished, the parts need to be cooled down and can then be processed further, if needed.
Selective laser sintering, or SLS, is used where the functionality and durability of the part are important. It’s best suited for functional prototyping and end-use production.
By choosing different materials, you can get parts with extreme flexibility, rigidity and resistance to aging.
- Minimum wall thickness of 1mm
- Minimum hole diameter 2mm
- Maximum wall thickness of 5mm-10mm (hollowing required on thicker parts)
- Try where possible to avoid large flat panels
- Avoid draft angles (draft angles= layer steps in part)
- For moving/ intersecting parts, ensure clearance of at least 0.3mm (subject to geometry)
- Grainy surface.
- Risk of warping on large flat areas.
- Uneven wall thickness can affect accuracy in the form of non-linear shrinkage.
- Threads of less than M10 are not recommended directly in the plastic. For smaller threads and strengthening purposes, HeliCoil or Trisert thread repair inserts are a good idea. In the case of HeliCoil, please inform us before we manufacture the parts so that we can enter the threads directly in the CAD model and fit the thread inserts later on. External threads of less than M10 are not recommended. These are machined into the finished part.
- For surfaces with an angle of less than 20° to the X/Y plane, distortion due to the layer effect (stepping) can be marked. The steeper the angle, the better the surfaces.
- To obtain a press fit, ensure a gap of 0.1 mm (average particle size X2). This fit will be slightly looser on wear (particles work loose over time).
- To obtain moveable parts printed in a workpiece, ensure a gap of 0.4 mm in X/Y/Z. It is also important that loose powder in the gap can be removed.
- Working hinges can be easily achieved in polypropylene. However, it is important that one takes care when first opening the item to which they are attached, so as to ensure longer service life of the hinge. Hinges can also be made from PA2200, but their service life tends to be shorter
