SLS 3D Printing Eliminates - Aurum3D

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What is SLS 3D Printing?
You have the option to choose from a wide range
of consumer and industrial 3D printers. Every 3D
printer produces three-dimensional objects by
depositing filament layer by layer based on
computer-aided design (CAD). But every 3D printer
is driven by a different and specific additive
manufacturing technology. 3D printers driven by
selective laser sintering (SLS) technology
produce various items using a high-power laser as
the primary power source. They use laser light to
sinter finely-powdered filament like nylon and
polyamide.
According to Wikipedia, Selective laser
sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing (AM)
technique that uses a laser as the power source
to sinter powdered material (typically nylon or
polyamide), aiming the laser automatically at
points in space defined by a 3D model, binding
the material together to create a solid
structure.
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SLS 3D printing is often described as a modern
additive manufacturing technology. But the 3D
printing technology is currently used widely by
manufacturers and 3D printing service providers
for the purpose of low-volume production of
components and rapid prototyping. That is why
you need to differential SLS 3D printing from
other widely used 3D printing technology while
comparing the 3D printers. It is also important
to understand the important aspect of this
additive manufacturing technology.
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Understanding Important Aspects of SLS 3D
Printing Technology
3D Printing Process
This 3D printing technology produces solid items
based on the powder sintering principle. An SLS
3D printer consolidates small particles of the
powdered filament using a high-powerful laser.
The laser produces a mass by sintering the
powdered material based on the CAD. The 3D
printer preheats the filament to a temperature
that is below the melting point.
The preheating makes it easier for the laser to
form solid parts by increasing the temperature
level. The item to the 3D-printed is supported by
the unfused powder filament. Hence, SLS 3D
printing eliminates the need for a support
structure. After forming the solid structure, the
build chamber is cooled down for several minutes.
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The cooling process ensures that the item retains
the desired mechanical properties along with
eliminating the chances of warping. Finally, the
item is removed from the build chamber for
post-processing. The 3D engineers clean the
excess powder before getting the item delivered.
Also, they can recycle and use the unfused
filament in the future without escalating the
overall 3D printing cost.
Materials/Filaments
While using an SLS 3D printer, you have the
option to choose from a wide range of powdered
filaments plastic, ceramic, glass, and metal.
Hence, you need to choose the SLS 3D printing
filament according to the nature and needs of the
item to be 3D-printed. However, you must remember
that the quality of the 3D-printed object will
vary according to the key attributes of the
particles shape, size, density, porosity, and
roughness. Many engineers opt for various types
of polymer while using this type of 3D printer to
leverage their sintering properties or behavior.
They can easily customize the 3D-printed items
mechanical properties by choosing the appropriate
form of polymer. Most engineers these days avoid
metals while working with SLS 3D printing
technology. Instead, they use selective laser
melting (SLM) technology to 3D-printed objects
using metal filaments.
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3D Printing Advantages
At present, SLS is one of the widely used
industrial 3D printing technologies. As mentioned
earlier, this 3D printing technology produces
solid objects without requiring support
structures. The engineers and manufacturers can
choose appropriate filament to produce parts that
resist chemicals. Also, they can customize the
3D-printed parts strength, stiffness, and
finishing by choosing from a slew of options.
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SLS produces prototypes and functional parts much
faster than other 3D printers. An engineer can
use a single SLS 3D printer to produce parts with
complex geometries and reliable mechanical
properties. Also, he can use this 3D printing
technology to deliver ready-to-use parts and
components with varying functionality,
durability, and strength.
3D Printing Disadvantages
SLS is one of the 3D printing technologies that
have been evolving consistently. The new-age SLS
3D printers feature advanced sintering machines
like FORMIGA P 110. They decrease the low-volume
3D printing cost significantly by supporting
larger build sizes. Also, they distribute
temperature across the build area more
efficiently. You must invest in a new-age SLS 3D
printer to produce medium-sized prototypes and
functional parts with complex geometries using
various powdered filaments.
Like other 3D printing technologies, SLS also has
several shortcomings or disadvantages. Often
porous surfaces are cited as one of the major
shortcomings of items produced using SLS 3D
printers. The engineers have to perform elaborate
post-processing to deliver a fully functional
part that can be used for various purposes.
However, the latest SLS 3D printers reduce both
time and cost by overcoming some of these
shortcomings. Also, engineers can easily leverage
SLS 3D printing technology using the right type
of SLS 3D printer.
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At present, SLS 3D printing is used widely by
manufacturers to produce prototypes and
functional parts with complex geometries and
reliable mechanical properties. It enables
engineers to produce and evaluate prototypes by
reducing 3D printing time and cost. Also, the
engineers can use SLS 3D printers to facilitate
low-volume production of components and parts for
clients from various industries automotive,
aerospace, medical, and military.
SLS is one of the advanced 3D printing
technologies that leverage high-power lasers as
the primary energy source. That is why this
category of 3D printers is used only in
industrial and commercial setups. Individual
users find it challenging to install and use SLS
3D printers for home use. But the popularity of
SLS 3D printing technology has been increasing
consistently across industries. However, the
engineers have the option to choose from several
types of SLS 3D printers according to the nature
and requirements of the items to be 3D-printed.
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SLS 3D printing is one of the modern additive
manufacturing technologies. SLS 3D printers are
used widely by manufacturers to create custom
parts and perform rapid prototyping without
increasing cost. But you must remember that SLS
3D printing technology, like other additive
manufacturing technologies, has its own
advantages and disadvantages.
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technology in India. Aurum3D strongly believes
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experience perspective. We provide custom 3D
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