Table of Contents
How does Selective Laser Sintering work?
SLS 3D printing uses a high power laser to sinter small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure based on a 3D model. Printing: The powder is dispersed in a thin layer on top of a platform inside of the build chamber.
What does selective laser sintering make?
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an industrial 3D printing process that produces accurate – rapid prototypes and functional production parts in as fast as 1 day. Multiple nylon-based materials are available, which create highly durable final parts.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of selective laser sintering?
Advantages & Disadvantages of SLS In A Nutshell S.No. SLS Advantages SLS Disadvantages 4. Best for experimental use. Potential health hazards. 5. Very fast 3D printing. 3D prints are brittle in nature. 6. Robust 3D Printed parts. Post-Processing procedures are difficult. 7. High dimensional accuracy.
What is the difference between selective laser sintering and selective laser melting?
And with sintering, the porosity of the material can be controlled. “Selective Laser Melting, on the other hand, can do the same as sintering—and go one further, by using the laser to achieve a full melt. Meaning the powder is not merely fused together, but is actually melted into a homogeneous part.
How much does selective laser sintering cost?
With a starting price of around $100,000 that goes well beyond that for the full solutions, traditional industrial SLS has been inaccessible for many businesses.
What products are made with selective laser sintering?
Because SLS machines can print in a range of high-quality materials, from flexible plastic to food-grade ceramic, SLS is also a popular method for 3D printing customized products, such as hearing aids, dental retainers and prosthetics.
Is selective laser melting expensive?
SLM is a fantastic yet costly 3D printing technology. It is most useful for creating parts made of pure metals, as the higher temperatures can fully fuse powders together into dense parts. SLM parts are much stronger than most other metal 3D printed parts, making this technology coveted in high-end applications.
Which type of laser is used in selective laser sintering?
SLS uses a computer-controlled CO2 laser versus an ND: YAG fiber laser for DMLS, but both “draw” slices of a CAD model in a bed of material, fusing micron-sized particles of material one layer at a time.
What is rapid prototyping technology?
Rapid prototyping is the fast fabrication of a physical part, model or assembly using 3D computer aided design (CAD). The creation of the part, model or assembly is usually completed using additive manufacturing, or more commonly known as 3D printing.
Where is selective laser sintering used?
SLS is also increasingly being used in limited-run manufacturing to produce end-use parts for aerospace, military, medical, pharmaceutical, and electronics hardware. On a shop floor, SLS can be used for rapid manufacturing of tooling, jigs, and fixtures.
What is advantage of selective laser sintering?
Selective Laser Sintering Advantages Best for producing strong, functional parts with complex geometries. High level of accuracy (though not as high as stereolithography). Doesn’t require supports, saving printing and post-processing time.
What materials are used for SLS and FDM parts?
FDM: Stratasys MOJO and Makerbot Replicator Printers, with a layer thickness between 150 and 200 microns, printing with P430 ABS PLUS and SR-30 Soluble material on the Mojo and PLA on the Makerbot. SLS: EOS P110 Printer with a layer thickness of 150 microns, printing white Polyamide (also known as SLS Nylon PA12).
What is the difference between SLS and SLA?
SLA works with polymers and resins, not metals. SLS works with a few polymers, such as nylon and polystyrene, but can also handle metals like steel, titanium, and others. SLA works with liquids, while SLS uses powders that raise safety concerns. Breathing in fine particulates of nickel, for example, can be harmful.
What is the difference between DMLS and SLM?
SLM heats the metal powder until it fully melts into a liquid. DMLS does not melt the metal powder, so less energy is needed. Sintering heats particles enough so that their surfaces weld together.
What is the difference between SLS and DMLS?
However, the biggest difference between the two processes is the type of materials that can be used to “print” the required parts. SLS can be used with a variety of metals and non-metallic materials, whereas DMLS is designed to work solely with metals.
What stereolithography means?
Stereolithography (SL) is one of several methods used to create 3D-printed objects. It’s the process by which a uniquely designed 3D printing machine, called a stereolithograph apparatus (SLA) converts liquid plastic into solid objects.
How fast is SLS printing?
Printing speed for SLS may reach up to 48 mm/h while FDM can print up from 50 to 150 mm/h depending on the printer. When it comes to printing speed, DLP has the advantage. Since the entire layer of a 3D part is exposed to light at once, the printing process is quicker compared to SLA.
Can you 3D print metal parts?
There are three major methods for manufacturing 3D printed metal parts: Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) and Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) using metal filaments. Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) are the traditional ways to 3D print metal parts.
How accurate is SLS printing?
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a particularly accurate process that is often used to produce complex geometries. SLS printing has a dimensional tolerance of ± 0.3% and a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm. SLS printing uses lasers to sinter layers of powder together.
What is the full name of SLS?
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is one of the ingredients you’ll find listed on your shampoo bottle.
What is STL additive manufacturing?
The simple answer to, “What is an STL file” is that it’s the most commonly used format in additive manufacturing for 3D printing. The information is stored in a format that offers a representation of the “raw” surface of your model in tiny triangles.
