Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Services

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is capable of building complex polymer parts with high accuracy. It’s a popular 3D printing process for prototyping and end-use parts.

The main advantages of this technology are that it doesn’t require additional tooling, is not susceptible to tooling wear, and is cost-effective.

How SLS works

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a powder-based technology, like Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF). However, instead of metal, plastic materials build the basis to create parts. SLS uses a powder bed to create highly accurate parts layer by layer based on a 3D model.

During the process, the powder is heated just below its melting temperature. The laser’s thermal energy delivers the residual energy to melt the part.

The Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process

SLS Use Cases

SLS is a popular additive manufacturing technology for producing plastic parts on the MakerVerse platform – particularly for rapid prototypes and end-use applications.

SLS is the go-to technology when the printed parts require good mechanical properties or must be produced very efficiently (common applications include jigs & fixtures, replacement parts, and more).

SLS by the Numbers

Max Build Size
Ranging from 340 X 340 X 600 mm to 700 X 380 X 580 mm (material dependent)

Lead Times

Starting at 7 days
Minimum Wall Thickness
0.8 mm (material/geometry dependent)
Standard Color
White
Dimensional Accuracy
+/- 0.3% with a minimum of 0.3 mm

Key Feature: Diverse Materials

SLS materials are suited for a wide range of use cases. Aluminum and glass-filled PA 12 offers high levels of strength. Other materials are biocompatible and suited for medical use.

SLS is also capable of printing flame-retardant parts. Parts made with these materials meet the high certification standards for specific industries, such as aerospace, rail, and electronics.​

Explore the key use cases for flame retardant polymers

Source Industrial-Grade SLS parts

MakerVerse gives you the flexibility to source parts however you need. Get instant quotes and quickly order parts with on-demand manufacturing. Our team of experts will work with you for large or complex orders to develop, align, and supervise a manufacturing quality plan from start to finish.

On-demand manufacturing

  • Instant quoting and DFM checks
  • Short lead times
  • Fast and intuitive order placement

Production Orders

  • Expert support from end-to-end
  • Comprehensive manufacturing and quality plan
  • Guaranteed quality meeting advanced specifications

Popular SLS Finishes

Smoothed

In the smoothing process, the plastic component is reworked by a chemical reaction. The top layer of the component is dissolved by a medium in a solution bath and the result is a very smooth surface.

Painted

Additional color is applied to the printed part, often by a professional spray painting system. Accurate cleaning and a clear coat are applied beforehand to ensure the highest levels of quality.

Tumbled

Parts are reworked by grinding media in a container, deburred, finely ground, and polished by vibration or rotation of the container.

Color dyed

The plastic component is immersed in a water bath. The resulting chemical reaction causes the dye to penetrate the part.

Sealed

The sealing process uses an aqueous solution to close the outer surface or skin of the part and fill in tiny pores. The sealing solution is manually applied or dipped depending on the part's geometry.

Blasted

An abrasive medium is applied to the component under high pressure. By using different media (e.g., corundum, sand, or glass beads), both functional (achieving a specific surface roughness) and optical (polishing the surface) finishing can be performed.

Available SLS Materials

What’s the best material for your project?
Try our Interactive technology and material advisor to find out

Didn't find the material you are looking for?

We are constantly expanding and you can request specific materials going beyond our current standardized offering. Simply select “Other Material” in the order process and provide us your desired specifications in the comment section.
 
You can also reach out to us with your specific material requests at any time under support@makerverse.com

Resources: Polymer 3D printing

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