Our SLS 3D printing service
Our SLS 3D printing service
With over 10 years of experience and over 200,000 parts printed, our SLS 3D printing service is the benchmark for additively manufactured parts.
Rapid Protos has mastered the process of manufacturing parts using the SLS machine library. Whether prototyping or low-volume production, our network of certified SLS 3D printing equipment suppliers will enable you to produce high-quality, high-strength, high-precision 3D printed parts.
Upload your CAD file for a free quote and get your part into production in as little as 1 day.
What is Selective Laser Sintering?
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an industrial 3D printing technique in which a laser selectively sinters plastic powder particles so that they are joined together and processed layer by layer to form a solid object with the same mechanical properties as injection molded plastic . SLS printing is generally stronger, faster and more durable than FDM 3D printing using filament. Widely used for detailed prototyping or low-volume production of end-use parts.
How does it works ?
The whole process device is composed of a powder cylinder and a molding cylinder. When working, the piston of the powder cylinder (powder feeding piston) rises, and the powder is evenly spread on the piston of the molding cylinder (working piston) by the powder spreading roller. The computer is based on the slicing model of the prototype Controlling the two-dimensional scanning trajectory of the laser beam selectively sinters the solid powder material to form a layer of the part. After a layer of powder is completed, the working piston is lowered by one layer thickness, and the powder spreading system is covered with new powder. The laser beam is controlled to scan again to sinter the new layer. This cycle goes on and on, layer by layer, until the three-dimensional parts are formed.
Finally, the unsintered powder is recycled into the powder vat and the molded part is removed. For metal powder laser sintering, the entire workbench is heated to a certain temperature before sintering, which can reduce thermal deformation during molding and facilitate the bonding between layers.
Features of SLS 3D Printing
Compared with other 3D printer technologies, the most outstanding advantage of SLS is that it can use a wide range of molding materials. Theoretically, any powder material that can form interatomic bonding after heating can be used as a molding material for SLS. At present, the materials that can be successfully processed by SLS include paraffin wax, polymer nylon, carbon fiber, glass fiber, polymer, metal, ceramic powder and their composite powder materials.
Advantage
- No support material required
- Excellent interlayer adhesion
- Quickly print functional, durable prototypes or end-use parts
- The material has good mechanical properties
Gallery of SLS 3D Printing Parts
SLS 1
SLS 2
SLS 4
SLS 5
Why Choose Our SLS 3D Printing Service
SLS Capabilities
| Standard capabilities | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum build size | 395 mm x 500 mm x 395 mm (15.53″ x 19.68″ x 15.53″) |
| Lead time * | 3 business days |
| Dimensional accuracy | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012”) |
| Layer thickness | 100 um |
By default, sharp edges will be broken and deburred. For any critical edges that must be left sharp, please note and specify them in your drawing.
Get your parts quickly with our Online 3D Printing Service
Use our online 3D printing service to improve your business strategy and come up with new ideas faster. With our cutting-edge 3D printing technologies, you can use the knowledge of 3D printing experts to start making high-quality products.
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Our SLS manufacturing standards
We manufacture your parts according to strict manufacturing standards. A verification of these requirements is included in our inspection report that is shipped with every order.
Available Materials for SLS
SLS (selective laser sintering) 3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing that uses a laser to fuse together small particles of thermoplastic material into a solid object. SLS is a widely used technology for producing functional prototypes, low-volume production parts, and even end-use products.
The most common materials used for SLS 3D printing are thermoplastics, which are plastics that can be melted and then solidified to create solid objects. Some of the most popular materials for SLS include:
| Material | Accuracy (mm) | Min. Wall Thickness (mm) | Color | Performance Features | Density (g/cm³) | Heat Deflection Temp @1.82 MPa (°C) | Heat Deflection Temp @0.46 MPa (°C) | Flexural Strength (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon PA12 – White | ±0.3 | 0.7 | White | Good toughness | 0.98 | 84.5 | 148.2 | 46.1 |
| Nylon PA12F – Black | ±0.3 | 0.7 | Black | High strength, fast lead time | 0.99 | 73.1 | 146.1 | 40.1 |
| Nylon PA12GF (Glass Fiber) – Light Grey | ±0.3 | 0.8 | Light Grey | High rigidity | 1.31 | 69 | 153.1 | 60 |
| Nylon PA12GB (Glass Fiber) – Black | ±0.3 | 0.8 | Black | High rigidity | 1.35 | 69.5 | 155.1 | 62 |
| Nylon PA11 – White | ±0.2 | 0.6 | White | High strength & toughness | 1.01 | 51 | 151.1 | 59 |
| Nylon PA6 – White | ±0.2 | 0.8 | White | High strength, rigidity, heat resistance | 1.00 | 39 | 115 | 63 |
| Nylon PA6GF (Glass Fiber) – Black | ±0.2 | 1.0 | Black | High strength & toughness | 1.41 | 201 | 218 | 127 |
Surface Finishing Options For SLS 3D Printing
Additional post-processes can be applied to improve the appearance or mechanical properties of parts produced with SLS. Learn more about the post-processing option for SLS in our Knowledge Base article.
| Image | Name | Description | Color | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | As Printed | Usually white or lime gray, with a smooth, powdery surface and no visible layer. | n/a | Learn more >> |
 | Black Dye | Our dyeing process penetrates to the surface approximately 0.2mm without changing part dimensions. | Black | Learn more >> |
 | Vibro Polished | Vibration polishing removes grain texture from SLS nylon material. The result is a smooth surface that is soft to the touch. | n/a | Learn more >> |
 | Painting | Painted white, black or to specify. | Any Colors | Learn more >> |
Frequently Asked Questions
Our SLS 3D Printed Parts Application
3D printing is applied across many industries and all sectors can benefit from its proof of concept, prototyping, production or machining process. Get inspired by all the advantages of 3D printing!
medical
medical
robotics
robotics
aerospace
aerospace
automotive
automotive
industry
industry
