Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Additive Manufacturing / Solutions / Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

How Selective Laser Sintering Works

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an advanced additive manufacturing process to create 3D parts out of a wide range of polymers, such as powdered nylons. In the SLS process, high-powered lasers heat and fuse the material together, layer by layer, forming the final 3D product with intricate details and internal channels. Due to its ability to produce complex components without requiring dedicated tooling or support, SLS is quickly becoming an attractive option for product development teams looking for more design freedom.

Open block of 3D printing cylinder petrol engine. Close-up, industrial metalworking concept

Here’s how our SLS solutions can help you:

Produce durable, highly-accurate and detailed parts for end-use, low-volume production, or rapid prototyping needs.
Deliver parts that can withstand high or low temperatures or exposure to caustic chemicals.
Control the degree of material melting for complex geometries, flex features, hinges, snaps, clips, and more.
Provide more material versatility for producing parts in polymers such as nylon, glass-filled nylon, flame-rated nylon and specialty polymer materials.

Our Selective Laser Sintering Capabilities

From automotive to aerospace manufacturing, UPTIVE selective laser sintering delivers more accuracy and strength for your functional end-use parts. It’s just one example of our disruptive additive manufacturing portfolio of powerful and versatile 3D printing options, specially designed for your strong, flexible prototypes and complex geometries.

Rapid Prototyping

A model created in a laser sintering machine close-up.

Allows quick 3D printing for both your complex and functional prototypes, such as moving parts or assemblies.

Faster Concepting

Expedites the process from design to production by quickly generating your models through an iterative process.

Affordable to Scale

Punch die cavity with feeding module device of machine powder

It’s easier, and more cost-effective, to print a single part as it is to print dozens of production components.

Quality Surfaces

Glass-filled nylon creates a smoother surface finish with good chemical resistance and high detail resolution.

SLS Materials Comparison

Material	Description	Ideal for	Finishes
PA-11	Tough and flexible material that has good impact resistance and low friction properties	Gears, bearings, and other components	Dyeing, Painting, Coating, Electroplating, Vapor Smoothing
PA-12	Tough and durable material that has good chemical resistance and low friction properties	Housings, brackets, and other components	Dyeing, Painting Coating, Electroplating, Vapor Smoothing
PA-12 GB	Glass-bead-filled PA-12 material that has improved stiffness and dimensional stability	Gears, bearings, and other components	Dyeing, Painting Coating, Electroplating, Vapor Smoothing
Polypropylene	Lightweight and affordable material that has good chemical resistance and low friction properties	Housings, brackets, and other components	Vapor Smoothing
TPA	Flexible and strong material that has good chemical resistance and toughness	Seals, gaskets, and other flexible components	Vapor Smoothing, Dyeing, Painting, Coatings
TPU	Flexible and rubber-like material that has good impact resistance and toughness	Gaskets, seals, and other flexible components	Vapor Smoothing, Dyeing, Painting, Coatings

This is a sampling of SLS materials we work with. See more information on available materials and specs here.

Why Customers Choose UPTIVE

"Hello America, I just want to let you know that the first MJF part arrived on time, was installed and tested and indeed solved our problem beautifully, and all exactly just in time. Thank you and your colleagues for your attention, speed, and quality. Well done."
Keith, Therapeutic Medical Company
"We just inspected some of the INVAR machined parts that recently arrived from our latest project with you and wanted to pass along how nicely they turned out. The dimensions were spot on and fit & finish looked great. The ultem (PEI) parts on this order also turned out great!"
Tom, Advanced Laser And Electro-Optical Solutions Company