Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Laser sintering refers to a laser based 3D printing process that works with powdered materials. IT works with different types of nylon materials with varying levels of stiffness and ductility.

3D Printing Laser Sintering

The laser is traced across a powder bed of tightly compacted powdered material, according to the 3D data fed to the machine, in the X-Y axes. As the laser interacts with the surface of the powdered material it sinters, or fuses, the particles to each other forming a solid. As each layer is completed the powder bed drops incrementally and a roller smoothens the powder over the surface of the bed prior to the next pass of the laser for the subsequent layer to be formed and fused with the previous layer. The build chamber is completely sealed as it is necessary to maintain a precise temperature during the process specific to the melting point of the powdered material of choice. Once finished, the entire powder bed is removed from the machine and the excess powder can be removed to leave the ‘printed’ parts.

One of the key advantages of this process is that the powder bed serves as an in-process support structure for overhangs and undercuts, and therefore complex shapes that could not be manufactured in any other way are possible with this process. With no need for support structures, this technology is suitable for interlocking parts, moving parts, living hinges and other highly complex designs and gives infinite design freedom.However, on the downside, because of the high temperatures required for laser sintering, cooling times can be considerable.

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