Selective Laser Sintering
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS®) is an additive rapid manufacturing (or 3D Printing) process that builds three dimensional parts by using a laser to selectively sinter (heat and fuse) a powdered material. The printing process begins with a 3D CAD file which is mathematically sliced into 2D cross-sections. The SLS prototype or part is built a layer at a time until completed.
Parts can be created from a range of powder materials, including Nylon-11 and Nylon-12 polyamides, or nylons with fillers such as glass beads or carbon fibers (to enhance physical properties). SLS material properties can be comparable to those found with traditional manufacturing methods.
While SLS prototype production began as a way to build parts early in the design cycle, it is now being used to manufacture end-use parts.
For single part or low volume tooling free production components, selective laser sintering is the most economical process available.
- Components in days, not months.
- Design iterations on the fly.
- No costly tooling required.
- No design limitations as in traditional manufacturing techniques.