| WHAT IS SLS? | | | | or requires short run production. |
| Rapid Prototyping refers to the creation of quick | | | | PROCESS |
| representations of final products from an initial idea and | | | | In the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process, 3D |
| taking it through successive iterations until the final form | | | | parts are created when an infrared laser beam sinters |
| is developed without tooling or molds. Selective Laser | | | | and fuses powdered materials. The final object is |
| Sintering (SLS) is one of the most popular Rapid | | | | created by repeatedly fusing thin layers using the laser |
| Prototyping mechanisms in which a laser beam | | | | beam. This process also known as additive |
| selectively fuses or sinters powder materials, nylon, | | | | manufacturing producing parts that gradually increase |
| elastomer etc. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) can | | | | in size until they reach the prescribed size. These |
| provide your manufacturing business with a leading | | | | prototypes are created directly from the STL file |
| edge by producing rapid plastic or metal prototypes | | | | obtained from 3D CAD models. |
| that closely match their molded counterparts. | | | | The most beneficial characteristic of Selective Laser |
| SLA vs SLS | | | | Sintering (SLS) is how durable and functional the |
| The primary advantage of Selective Laser Sintering | | | | materials are. These materials include versions of the |
| (SLS) over Stereolithography is that it builds prototypes | | | | original DuraForm and DuraForm glass-filled (GF), which |
| in nylon material. It is possible to make structurally | | | | are nylon-based materials that create highly durable |
| functional parts such as living hinges, functioning springs, | | | | and functional plastic prototypes. Other Selective Laser |
| snap fit components with nylon material using Selective | | | | Sintering (SLS) materials available are Flex Plastic for |
| Laser Sintering. The process in itself is very simple and | | | | elastomeric, rubber-like parts, and LaserForm, which |
| there is no molds or tooling involved. The nylon material | | | | makes metal prototypes. |
| used in SLS can be easily machined, drilled and tapped | | | | ADVANTAGES |
| unlike those used in SLA, which are brittle as they are | | | | Research and development has been progressing to |
| built with liquid photopolymers and cured with UV light. | | | | bring newer selective laser sintering (SLS) materials to |
| They continue to cure once complete and as a result | | | | the market. These materials are such that they require |
| become more brittle as time goes on. | | | | no post processing steps whatsoever after building |
| Since being patented by Dr. Carl Deckard in 1989, the | | | | and this offers a distinct advantage over |
| Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology has | | | | stereolithography (SLA). This however does not mean |
| become one of the most popularly utilized processes | | | | that these materials cannot be processed. All of the |
| for rapid prototyping and product development in | | | | selective laser sintering (SLS) materials can be finished |
| manufacturing industries. Selective Laser Sintering has | | | | in multiple ways. They can be painted, plated, drilled, |
| become a very reliable and trusted form of rapid | | | | tapped, or even machined. This allows for a higher |
| prototyping due to its structural properties. Selective | | | | grade of appearance to these parts thus giving users |
| Laser Sintering (SLS) is particularly useful when the | | | | an unlimited potential to use them. |
| design is complex, customized, needs to be functional | | | | |