What you should know about selective laser sintering
(Selective) laser sintering (SLS) is a powder bed-based principle in which specially developed plastic powders are locally fused layer by layer using an infrared laser. Layer thicknesses range from 0.05 mm to 0.15 mm, depending on the resolution and the system. Selective laser sintering (SLS) allows completely new approaches to be taken in design. Functional 3D printed objects are created in just one production step – and without any support structures at all.
More design freedom through selective laser sintering (SLS)
The additive layer manufacturing process produces functional components directly from 3D data. Using CAD-based coordinates, a laser melts the material layer by layer in selective laser sintering until the desired structure is achieved. The objects are created within a powder bed, which is why no support structures are needed during laser sintering. This feature sets SLS apart from other 3D printing technologies, such as PolyJet/MultiJet modeling, stereolithography or selective laser melting (SLM).
Complex components that normally require multiple production steps are created directly in one process. For rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and rapid manufacturing, this opens up completely new possibilities in design and product development.