SLS- Selective Laser Sintering
Selective Laser Sintering is one of the most efficient forms of 3D printing. Which makes it a suitable process for batch production. There are two distinct characteristics for SLS printing that seperate it from the pack. The parts are printed on a powder bed of material that supports the object as it prints requiring no support cleanup. This means that you can create extremely complex parts without worrying about how the print will be supported during the printing process. You can also fill the entire build volume which allows you to fit far more objects onto one build at once. Paired with relatively affordable raw material that can be partially recycled into the system. This becomes the ideal process for producing many parts at once.
While FDM and SLA could take days to months to batch produce 200 parts, SLS may be able to produce the same set in 48 hours without the need for intense manual support removal.
SLS is not only good for batch production however. It’s powder bed technology and strong nylon material also makes it ideal for prototyping parts that require strength, precision and a uniform surface finish.
Batch part scaling
Cons
Single parts not as economical
Requires sand blasting for a really clean finish (don’t worry we do this)
Limited material choice
Limited color choice
Minimum 2-3 days turnaround
Pros
Consistent surface finish (sand blasted look)
Great dimensional accuracy
Close to isotropic parts (~80% on Z)
Fast print speed for multiple objects
Can handle the most complex geometry
Greatest consistency across prints
Common uses for this process:
Engineering prototypes
End use parts
Fixtures / Jigs
Batch production
Final parts for production use
Special properties only available on SLS printing
Powder bed support allows for traditionally impossible geometries
Gain economics of scale even for non-identical parts
Gap technology between injection molding and one off prints
