Selective Laser Sintering - 3D Printing Services

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Order custom SLS parts suitable for rapid prototyping and end-use production.

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Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an industrial 3D printing process that produces accurate prototypes and functional production parts in as fast as 1 day. Multiple nylon-based materials and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are available, which create highly durable final parts that require heat resistance, chemical resistance, flexibility, or dimensional stability. With SLS 3D printing, no support structures are required making it easy to nest multiple parts into a single build and an economical solution for when higher volumes of 3D-printed parts are required.

Common uses for selective laser sintering are:

  • jigs and fixtures
  • housings
  • snap fits and living hinges

SLS Design Guidelines & Capabilities


SLS Materials for 3D Printing

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Materials

PA 12 Smooth White
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PA 12 White is an economical material choice for functional prototypes and end-use parts. It offers high impact and temperature resistance, is very durable, and remains stable under a range of environmental conditions. The nylon material exhibits a white finish with a slightly rougher surface texture compared to other nylons.

Primary Benefits​

  • Strength and stiffness
  • Well-balanced material properties

Datasheet

PA 12 Vapour Smooth White
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PA 12 White is an economical material choice for functional prototypes and end-use parts. It offers high impact and temperature resistance, is very durable, and remains stable under a range of environmental conditions.

Primary Benefits​

  • Strength and stiffness
  • Well-balanced material properties

Datasheet

PA 12 Glass Filled Smooth White
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PA 12 40% Glass-Filled is a polyamide powder loaded with glass spheres that add stiffness and dimensional stability. The material possesses higher thermal resistance than unfilled polyamides and exhibits excellent long-term wear resistance. Due to the glass additive, it has decreased impact and tensile strengths compared to other nylons.

Primary Benefits

  • Stiffness and dimensional stability
  • Long-term wear resistance
  • High-temperature resistance

Datasheet

PAx Smooth Natural
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PAx Smooth Natural is a versatile polyamide which is characterised by excellent toughness and flexibility in any direction, including the z plane. The material possesses great long term stability and durability and can be used to produce both prototyping as well as end-use parts.
The material is very versatile, so applications range from living hinges and snap fits to fixtures, enclosures as well as orthotics.

Primary Benefits

  • Excellent toughness and durability
  • High impact and high elongation
  • Long-term stability

Datasheet

PAx Vapour Smooth Natural
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PAx Smooth Natural is a versatile polyamide which is characterised by excellent toughness and flexibility in any direction, including the z plane. The material possesses great long term stability and durability and can be used to produce both prototyping as well as end-use parts.

Parts presents a great, smooth surface, close to that of injection moulded plastics, and translucency.

The material is very versatile, so applications range from living hinges and snap fits to fixtures, enclosures as well as orthotics.

Depending on the part’s actual wall thickness, vapour smoothed products are translucent, which opens up various applications like liquid reservoirs, where liquid visualisation is involved.

Primary Benefits

  • Excellent toughness and durability
  • High impact and high elongation
  • Long-term stability

Datasheet

PA 12 - Carbon Filled Smooth Black
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PA 12 Carbon-Filled is an anthracite grey nylon characterized by extreme stiffness and high-temperature resistance, coupled with electric conductivity properties and lightweight. It can be used for both functional prototypes and end-use parts. The carbon-fibre filler provides different mechanical properties based on the considered three-axis direction. This material exhibits a good surface quality and smoother finish compared to other SLS nylons.

Primary Benefits​

  • Extreme stiffness
  • Electrical conductivity
  • Excellent long-term stability

Datasheet

PA 12 Flex Pure Black
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PA 12 Flex Black is a black / anthracite nylon characterised by excellent flexibility and impact resistance. PA 12 Flex Black combines positives properties of PA12 and PP. Strength and stiffness is similar to PA 12. The elongation is comparable to that of unfilled PP. Its high durability makes it an excellent choice not only for prototyping, but also for end-use parts.

Primary Benefits​

  • High elongation at break
  • Flexibility
  • Durability and toughness

Datasheet

TPU-88A Pure Black
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This thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) combines rubber-like elasticity and elongation with good abrasion and impact resistance. It can be leveraged to produce both prototypes and functional parts. The material’s rubber-like quality is ideal for seals, gaskets, grips, hoses, or any other application where excellent resistance under dynamic loading is required.

Primary Benefits​

  • Tear and abrasion resistance
  • Flexibility
  • Durability

Datasheet


Compare Material Properties

Material Colour Tensile Strength Tensile Modulus Elongation
PA 12 Smooth White
(PA 650)
White 50 MPa ± 4 MPa 2000 MPa ± 200 MPa 11% ± 4%
PA 12 Vapour Smooth White White 46 MPa +/- 4 MPa 1900 MPa +/- 200 MPa 15% +/- 4%
PA 12 Glass Filled Smooth White 42 MPa +/- 4 MPa 3600 MPA +/- 400 MPa 5% +/- 2%
PA x Smooth Natural Natural 40 MPa+/- 5 MPa 1300 MPa +/- 200 MPa >60%
PA x Vapour Smooth Natural Natural 40 MPa +/- 5 MPa 1300 MPa +/- 200 MPa >100%
PA 12 - Carbon Filled Smooth Black* Black 85 MPa ± 5 MPa 8300 MPa ± 400 MPa 3.2% ± 2%
PA 12 Flex Pure Black Black 50 MPa ± 4 MPa 2000 MPa ± 200 MPa 17% ± 4%
TPU-88A Pure* Black 20 MPa ± 5 MPa   520% ± 50%

 

* X plane

These figures are approximate and dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to, machine and process parameters. The information provided is therefore not binding and not deemed to be certified. When performance is critical, also consider independent lab testing of additive materials or final parts.


3D Print Surface finish guide

3D Printing Surface Finish Guide

Our 3D Printing surface finish guide provides you with a quick overview of our finishing options and what you can expect when your 3D-printed parts arrive.

3DP Surface Finish Guide

About Selective Laser Sintering

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