{"id":41152,"date":"2020-11-19T18:01:34","date_gmt":"2020-11-19T23:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=41152"},"modified":"2022-09-20T12:48:42","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T16:48:42","slug":"top-applications-for-sls-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/top-applications-for-sls-3d-printing","title":{"rendered":"An Expert Guide to SLS 3D Printing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In comparing additive manufacturing vs. traditional manufacturing, it might seem surprising that Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)<\/a> 3D printing is referred to as an older technology. In the grand scheme, 3D printing<\/a> technology like Stereolithography<\/a> and Selective Laser Sintering\u2013both taking their place in history in the mid-80s\u2013are relatively young in comparison to Injection Molding<\/a> or other Cast Metal<\/a> processes. Since then, many other new 3D printing technologies, materials, and techniques have come into the spotlight too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognized for accuracy and repeatability in industrial parts with excellent mechanical properties,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SLS 3D printing has continued to evolve\u2013remaining at the top of the additive manufacturing hierarchy due to its sheer power\u2013and versatility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is SLS<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To define Selective Laser Sintering means understanding industrial 3D printing. Serving as a subcategory of powder-bed fusion, SLS 3D printing relies on a laser to trace the cross-section of each 3D design into the material dispersed onto the print bed, and sintered just under the melting point. Once the desired structure is complete, parts are cooled in the build chamber to avoid warpage and preserve integrity of the prints. After, they are removed for post-processing, to include removal of excess powder and then on to finishing<\/a>, to include dyeing, vapor smoothing, polishing, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SLS industrial 3D printers are capable of producing large parts, in large volumes. While smaller printers may range in build volume from 200 mm x 250 mm x 330 mm, larger laser 3D printers may range in size from 650 mm x 350 mm x 550 mm to 700 mm x 380 mm x 580 mm, with a layer thickness of 100 to 120 microns. These SLS printers are remarkable in that hundreds or even thousands of parts can be 3D printed at one time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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SLS Benefits: Expanding Design Freedom and Production Volume <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Support structures are not required for SLS 3D printing, leading to unique advantages for this technology as well as Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)<\/a> 3D printing. Unsintered powder bunches around parts as they are 3D printed, stabilizing structures, and eliminating the need for support structures. This leads to much greater design freedom as designers are able to engineer parts without having to compensate for intricate supports. No requirements for supports means less use of materials, reducing the potential for damage in post-processing, and eliminating the need for repeated 3D printing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shapeways engineers are able to optimize nesting<\/a> of parts due to the lack of requirement for intricate support structures that would make smart packing impossible. Smart packing is key to optimization, allowing for parts to be placed correctly and keep machines in good working order by running them consistently with maximum builds for efficiency. Streamlined, dense packing of parts reduces the height of the build platform and saves materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 3D printing nesting software does the hard thinking for us in terms of whether or not a part fits into the spaces available in a build tray,\u201d said Zach Dillon, User Application Team Lead at Shapeways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of the ability to nest so many 3D printed parts together, Shapeways customers experience a key  advantage of 3D printing: speed in turnaround. Numerous projects can be completed simultaneously, and SLS 3D printing powder is easily recycled, promoting sustainability in additive manufacturing with each job.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Shapeways customers print in large volumes, being able to work directly with the User Application team to optimize every aspect of production is a huge benefit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have to take everything into consideration from how larger 3D printed parts will affect others around them to how they will all be unpacked and cleaned in post-processing,\u201d said Dillon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"SLS<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

SLS 3D Printing Materials<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nylon 11 [PA11(SLS)]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nylon 11 [PA11(SLS)] is a robust white polyamide offering great tensile strength, durability, impact resistance, and flexibility. Due to its biocompatibility, Nylon 11 [PA11(SLS)] is uniquely suited for manufacturing the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n