SLS Applications
SLS uses production-grade nylon materials, resulting in durable, functional parts that last, rivaling parts produced using traditional manufacturing methods. The robustness of SLS makes this technology great for:
SLS Material Properties & Uses
Our SLS materials include a wide range of advanced nylon and composite materials consisting of superfine particles <100 nm in diameter.
The materials available for SLS enable uses ranging from impact-resistant plastics to styrene-based options that are great for plaster and metal castings. SLS is frequently chosen for low- to mid-volume end-use parts like enclosures, snap-fit parts, automotive moldings, and thin-walled ducting. Some of our SLS engineering plastics are made with flame-retardant materials, enabling them to answer aircraft and consumer product requirements. Glass-filled materials are also available, offering greater stiffness and heat resistance, as well as fiber-reinforced plastic for ultimate stiffness. SLS also includes material options on the other end of the spectrum, for rubber-like flexible parts, enabling applications like hoses, gaskets, grip padding, and more.
SLS Printers
We offer an integrated solution for SLS including hardware, software, and fine-tuned nylon and composite materials that to deliver robust, high-resolution parts at high throughput. The surface finish, resolution, repeatability, and accuracy of SLS enable increased manufacturing agility with a low total cost of operations.
Our SLS printers use 3D Sprint® software, an all-in-one software for plastic printing that brings increased productivity and quality to SLS production without the need for additional third-party software. 3D Sprint provides tools to prepare and optimize CAD data, and manage the printing process including automatic high-density 3D nesting, quality checks for pre-build verification, repair options, print queue tools for efficient build planning, a cage structure generator for small parts enclosure, and more. Our SLS printers range from medium to large frame, with different build volumes, levels of automation, and a large variety of materials.
SLS build platform with 198 parts, automatically positioned and nested using 3D Sprint
Our SLS 3D printers offer a range of build volumes and price points.
Why Use Selective Laser Sintering?
Robust, Performance Parts
SLS technology produces tough and durable parts that excel in high-performance prototyping and end-use applications. 3D Systems' DuraForm® SLS materials have been optimized, validated, and tested to ensure quality, with uniform 3D mechanical properties.
Stretch and impact test comparisons of 3D Systems vs. competing system
High Speed and Throughput
Large SLS build capacities paired with fast build times, high-density nesting, and no support structures help you maximize every print for more parts, sooner.
Otherwise impossible to produce products delivered with SLS
Best-In-Class Part Quality
Side-by-side comparison testing shows 3D Systems SLS printers provide best-in-class part quality.* Get superior accuracy, part resolution, edge definition, and surface finish with 3D Systems' SLS solutions.
* Same part file printed on ProX SLS 6100 in DuraForm ProX PA compared to a competitive system in PA 12
Get smooth surfaces, fine detail resolution, and sharp edges with 3D Systems' SLS
Broad SLS Materials Selection
Manufacture with true nylon materials that answer your application requirements. Whether you need toughness, heat resistance, flame retardancy, flexibility, or food-grade and medical-grade options, the 3D Systems SLS materials portfolio has you covered.
Understanding how SLS additive materials work for your business
Functional Design
As a self-supporting build methodology, SLS enables the production of complex geometries, such as monolithic designs, lightweight components, and mass-customized products, that could not be manufactured any other way.
Improve performance and accelerate production for complex, functional nylon parts
Low Part & Ownership Costs
The features and capabilities of 3D Systems' SLS deliver up to 20% lower operational costs compared to similar printers. These include automated production tools, high throughput, material efficiency, and repeatability, just to name a few.
Low-volume production and mass customization with biocompatible capable material to enable applications like patient-specific medical devices