Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing Service
Laser sintering is a popular and versatile 3D printing technology thanks to its high precision, design freedom, and wide range of production-grade materials. Suitable for all stages of the production lifecycle, from prototyping to small series or custom manufacturing, laser-sintered parts need no support structures, making it possible to produce even the most complex geometries.
Complex, High-Performance Parts Made Simple
Are you looking for an industrial 3D printing service for making durable parts with complex, organic geometries? Whether you are a designer or engineer, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) gives you the freedom to manufacture complex, high-quality parts with unparalleled precision.
SLS can produce parts with finer details than most additive manufacturing processes using high-strength plastics. The component is one of the most isotropic in additive manufacturing. Elimold offers a variety of machine sizes and capacities to meet all of your SLS production needs.
Professional SLS 3D Printing Service Provider
We provide both on-demand additive manufacturing and traditional manufacturing services. From rapid prototyping to appearance models and mass production, Elimold has the latest technology and the expertise to handle any additive manufacturing project.
Our SLS 3D printing technology gives you the best results. Our state-of-the-art 3D printers and equipment guarantee superior print quality and reliability. Our team of highly skilled engineers and technicians have been proficient in SLS printing and producing high-quality products. We understand the complexity of the process and can guide you through every step of the manufacturing process. You can choose between a variety of polymers and finishes, then let us handle the manufacturing in our ISO 9001 certified facility.
In addition, we take a personalized approach to each project and tailor our services to meet your unique needs and ensure success. Whether you need a one-off prototype or large-scale production, we can help. We can create precision components with quality and strength comparable to injection molding.
Our SLS Production Capabilities
Elimold wants every innovator to make an informed decision. We are working hard to make all information as transparent as possible. Here are some technical data of our production capabilities for your reference.
- Maximum build dimensions: Dimensions are unlimited as components may be composed of several sub-parts. The maximum build envelope is 630 x 330 x 550 mm
- Standard accuracy: ±0.3% (with a lower limit on ±0.3 mm)
- Layer thickness: 0.12 mm
- Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm, but living hinges are possible at 0.3 mm
- Surface structure: Unfinished parts typically have a grainy surface but various post-production finishes are possible
- Lead time: 2-3 days
Our Equipment Capabilities
SLS industrial 3D printers have build volumes that vary in size; our small printers have a build volume of 200mm x 250mm x 330mm, and our EOS printers have build volumes ranging from 650mm x 350mm x 550mm to 700mm x 380mm x 580mm, with layer thicknesses of 100 to 120 microns. Thousands of parts can be included in a single build, with greater precision and repeatability than most technologies.
Types of SLS Printed Materials
One of the appealing features of SLS 3D printing is the wide range of materials suitable to the process. These include:
- Metal: Aluminum, steel, titanium and a variety of alloy particles are used to create objects with the proper strength properties.
- Polymers: Nylon and polystyrene are two polymers popularly used in SLS. The material can be glass-filled or be impact resistant, depending on the exact formulation of the material.
- Glass: This material is used in design, art and by hobbyists.
- Rubber-like materials: These flexible materials are typically proprietary, such as Duraform Flex plastic from 3D Systems.
- Green sand: A mix of silica sand, chromite sand, bentonite/clay, water, anthracite and inert sludge is known as green clay. The name refers to the fact that it is used to make molds for castings while the material is still “wet” and therefore “green” as opposed to dry/cured.
Finishing Options for SLS Parts
Straight from the build table, SLS parts have a rough, porous finish. A variety of finishing options are available to enhance their appearance and performance, including:
- Sanded
- Tumbled
- Media blasted
- Vapor smoothed
- Painted (EMI shield)
- Painted (sand and paint, non-cosmetic)
- Painted (sand and paint, cosmetic)
- Dyed
- Plated
- Decals
- Pad printed
- Screen printed
- Inserts
- Post machined
- Assembly
- Painted (customer spec paint)
- Specialty coating
SLS Best Uses
SLS printing is perfect for many of your rapid prototypes, low- and mid-volume productions, and functional testing.Even highly advanced SLS printing technology isn’t completely reliable if you’re not working with the right team of manufacturing professionals.
Rapid Manufacturing
- Aerospace Equipment.
- Hardware for UAS, UAV, UUV, and UGV.
- Healthcare and Medical.
- Connectors, packaging, and electronics.
- Border Security.
- Military Equipment.
Rapid Prototypes
- Prototypes with functioning proofs of concepts.
- Models for Design Evaluation (Form, Fit & Function).
- Product Testing & Performance.
- Verification of Engineering Designs.
- Models for Wind-Tunnel Tests.
Tooling and Patterns
- Quick Tooling (concept development & bridge tools).
- Inserts for injection moulds.
- Visual Aid for Tooling and Manufacturing Estimating.
- Patterns for investment casting.
- Jigs and Equipment.
- Sand casting foundry patterns.
Ready to Get Started?
From design to prototype and production, our team of engineers is ready to help bring your idea to life with SLS 3D printing.
What is Selective Laser Sintering?
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an industrial 3D printing process that can produce accurate prototypes and functional production parts in as fast as 1 day. A wide range of nylon-based materials are available, creating highly durable final parts.
A thin layer of plastic powder is selectively melted by a laser. The part is built layer by layer in a powder bed.
The laser sintering machine applies a layer of plastic powder to the build platform, which is then melted by a laser (or multiple lasers). The build platform is then lowered and the next layer of plastic powder is laid on top. By repeating the process of laying down powder and melting where needed, the part is built in the powder bed.
When the build is complete, the entire powder bed along with the encapsulated part is moved to a disassembly station, where it is lifted and the part is removed from the powder bed. It is first manually brushed to remove most of the loose powder. The part is then sandblasted to remove any remaining residual powder and finally reaches the finishing department.
Advantages of SLS 3D Printing
- Functional Parts & Prototypes
- No Support Material Needed
- Fast Process
- Parts With Complex Geometries
- Good For Small To Medium Batches
- Good Isotropic Mechanical Properties
- Great For Layer Adhesion
- Reuse Unused Material
- Dye Different Colors
SLS Design & Build Guidelines
Each 3D printing technology is a little different, here are standard guidelines to consider when choosing SLS as your 3D printing process:
- Build Layers: 0.004”
- Minimum Wall Thickness & Feature Size: 0.030”
- Standard Finish: Level 2 Bead Blast
- Finish (see more available custom finishes)
- Standard Lead Time: 3-5 days
- Tolerances: +/- 0.005” for first inch then +/- 0.002” per inch thereafter
- Inserts: Install in post-processing with adhesives
- Holes: Drill, ream and tap
Applications Of SLS 3D Printing
SLS uses production-grade nylon materials to create parts that are as strong, useful, and long-lasting as those made using conventional manufacturing techniques. SLS’s durability makes it an excellent technology for:
Manufacturing
- End-use part production
- Small batch, stop-gap, and bridge manufacturing
- Mass-customized consumer products
- Replacement parts, aftermarket parts, spare parts
- Long-lasting, durable manufacturing aids, jigs and fixtures (e.g. clips and clamps) and tooling
- Custom automotive or motorcycle parts, marine equipment, military ‘resupply on-demand’
Engineering
- Rapid prototyping
- Mockups of products for in-field customer feedback
- Functional prototyping
- Rigorous functional testing of products (e.g: ductwork, brackets)
- Thin-walled ducts and enclosures
- Impact-resistant prototypes, jigs or fixtures
Healthcare and Consumer Goods
- Medical device prototyping
- Prosthetics and orthotics (i.e. limb replacements and braces)
- Surgical models and tools
- End-use parts (Nylon 12 is biocompatible and compatible with sterilization*)
- Wearables and soft-touch elements
Ready to get started on your Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing quote?
Create components with tough mechanical properties & complex geometries.
What is the Difference Between SLS & SLA?
Stereolithography (SLA) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) are both additive manufacturing processes. SLA is a 3D printing method that uses both a UV laser and a resin that can be cured by UV light. A single laser is directed to specific areas to cure resin and create a solid pattern. SLA is popular because it can print parts with greater precision than traditional Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM) machines. SLS is another 3D printing process that uses a laser to melt, sinter, or fuse together particles, which result in a 3D printed part. SLS printers are commonly used for plastic, metal and ceramics. These materials are usually in powdered form. SLS does not require support as the unsintered powder around the part provides support. SLS has a broader range of materials available.
There are a number of differences between SLS and SLA. SLS machines use a very powerful laser and as such, they are entirely encased, blocking the view of the part as it is printed. SLA machines are typically enclosed in tinted glass or plastic, which allows the operator to view the part as it is built. SLS does not use toxic resins and the powdered material is considered easier to work with. Objects made by SLA machines are complex and detailed but can be brittle. SLS parts are not as detailed but still complex and are considered suitable for mechanical use.
SLS vs. SLM
Selective Laser Melting (SLM), sometimes referred to as Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM), uses a laser to melt metallic powders in successive layers. The machine fully melts the powder before another bed of powder is added above the melted layer. SLM causes the metal granules to melt together to fully form one homogeneous piece. The primary difference between SLA and SLS is the material used for each process. SLS can be applied to plastics, glass and ceramics, whereas SLM is used exclusively for metal alloys.
Industries We Serve
Designers and engineers across numerous industries have used SLS printing in their product development process. While SLS can be used for prototyping, it is also for functional, testing, and production parts. Applications of SLS include:
- Consumer Goods
- Sports
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Product design
- Architecture
- Industrial machinery
- Robotics
- Medical and Dental
- Footwear
- Consumer electronics
How do we provide SLS printing services?
We try to manage our SLS Selective Laser Sintering projects differently and work closely with our customers. Our expert engineers and other professionals work with our customers to understand their goals from the beginning and discuss the product from prototype to production when necessary. Our project engineers will guide you in choosing the best material for your prototype to ensure the best output!
However, we never compromise on quality standards when designing a prototype in the desired shape. Our team will discuss project delivery requirements, timelines, and costs. Our goal is to maintain transparency in the Selective Laser Sintering printing process.
We use 3D Systems to create multiple large frame systems. Our specially designed printers are used to create resilient parts. In most cases, we use chemically resistant thermoplastics for prototypes. You will find that durability is high due to the use of this material.
Ready to Get Your Project Started?
We are always ready to discuss your SLS 3D printing needs. We are eager to help you understand our rapid prototyping services and how we can turn your ideas into reality. With the 3D printing capabilities at our disposal, we can help you unlock new possibilities for your business or project. Let Elimold be your trusted partner in rapid prototyping.