Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
What is selective laser sintering
Selective laser sintering is a manufacturing technology which allows to produce highly complex component parts within the shortest of time. Thereby an unprecedented freedom of design is opening up. Component parts do no longer have to be adapted to cumbersome manufacturing rules, but can be built and used at once. The component parts are characterised by an extraordinary stability and lightness. Additionally, SLS allows to optimise component parts and to integrate functions in a way, so that subsequent assembly steps can be dispensed with. And yet, the technology is not only suitable for prototypes and marketing samples, but also for the series manufacturing in small quantities. Here it is especially interesting that the product allows a strong individualisation, even in the series manufacturing. The field of applications of SLS is boundless.
Overview of the advantages:
- No blowholes
- Almost every geometrical shape possible
- Short delivery times
- High stability
- Cost-efficient
- Individualisation of products in series manufacturing
We offer the following synthetic materials
PA 2200 (PA12)
PA2200 is the all-rounder. It is suitable for most applications and convinces by its high stability and lightness.
- High stability and stiffness
- Good chemical resistance
- High long-term stability
- Biocompatible
- Certified for the food industry
PA3200GF
PA3200 is a PA12 synthetic material filled with glass spheres. It is suitable for parts with high demands concerning wastage and stiffness.
- Very high stiffness
- High wear resistance
- For a short time high thermal resilience
- Excellent, constant long-term performance
ALUMIDE
Alumide is a PA12 synthetic material filled with aluminum. It is suitable for parts demanding metallic characteristics.
- excellent dimensional accuracy
- balanced density to stiffness ratio
- higher thermal conductivity
- simple machine finishing
How does selective laser sintering work?
Selective laser sintering is often equated with the FDM printing, although the process itself has little similarities. The manufacturing process proceeds, highly simplified, in the following way: At first a 0.1mm thin layer of powder is laid out, with the help of a slider. Subsequently, the geometry of the component part is accurately melted in the powder bed with a laser. The first 0.1mm of the component part is made. The manufacturing platform lowers itself by 0.1mm, so that a next, identically thin, layer of powder can be superimposed. This, too, is melted with the laser. This process is repeated until the part, which is to be sintered, is finished. Afterwards the lose powder around the component part is removed, which incidentally serves as support material. The component part is now ready for its use.