Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing
General Purpose Prototypes & Production Parts
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What is Selective Laser Sintering?
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing process that uses powdered thermoplastic polymers. Layers are fused together using a laser that selectively sinters the particles of the powder and binds it together to create a solid structure. SLS offers fantastic throughput with its unique ability to nest thousands of parts within the boundaries of the machine without the need for support structures.
Parts produced using SLS provide a uniform finish with excellent mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, making it suitable substitute for injection molding as well as functional prototyping alike. Biocompatibility certifications fulfill requirements for end-use-applications in medical products.
26" x 22"
Max X/Y Build Volume
± 0.25
MM Part Tolerances
4
Materials
2-5 Day
Average Lead Time
Materials| Selective Laser Sintering
White PA12
Black PA12
Glass Filled
Aluminum Filled
Nylon PA 12 (PA2200)
Tough & Durable parts for Prototyping & Production
Nylon PA12 (PA 2200) is a highly functional polyamide material that provides a consistent surface finish, excellent resolution and feature detail. PA 2200 is ideal for both functional prototyping as well as end use applications that require complex thin wall parts, chemical resistance, snap fits and/or low vibration resistance. PA 2200 is biocompatbile according to EN ISO 10993-1 and USP/Level VI/121 °C
|
MEASUREMENT |
VALUE |
STANDARD |
|
Tensile Strength, Yield |
50 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Tensile Modulus |
1,700 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Elongation at Break |
24 % |
ASTM D638 |
|
Izod Impact Strength |
32 kJ/m² |
ISO 180 |
|
Heat Deflection Temperature |
154°C @ 0.65 MPa |
ASTM D648 |
Black Nylon PA 12
Tough & Durable parts for Prototyping & Production
Black PA12 is a highly functional polyamide material impregnated with black dye to offer a uniform matte black surface finish, along with excellent resolution and feature detail. Black Nylon PA 12 is ideal for both functional prototyping as well as end use applications that require complex thin wall parts, chemical resistance, snap fits and/or low vibration resistance in a black finish.
|
MEASUREMENT |
VALUE |
STANDARD |
|
Tensile Strength, Yield |
50 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Tensile Modulus |
1,700 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Elongation at Break |
24 % |
ASTM D638 |
|
Izod Impact Strength |
32 kJ/m² |
ISO 180 |
|
Heat Deflection Temperature |
154°C @ 0.65 MPa |
ASTM D648 |
Duraform GF (Glass Filled Nylon)
Stiff Parts for Low Volume Production
Duraform GF is a glass filled polyamide material ideal for creating exceptionally stiff & hard parts for both prototyping and functional end-use applications. Glass Filled Nylon is best for applications that require high heat resistance and dimensional stability. The unique glass filled infill helps prevent warping and breaking making it a great material for creating large functional parts.
|
MEASUREMENT |
VALUE |
STANDARD |
|
Tensile Strength, Yield |
51 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Tensile Modulus |
3,200 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Elongation at Break |
9% |
ISO 527 |
|
Izod Impact Strength |
35 kJ/m² |
ISO 179 |
|
Heat Deflection Temperature |
179°C @ 0.45 MPa |
ISO 75 |
Alumide
Rigid Metallic Polyamide
Alumide is a unique Selective Laser Sintered polyamide mixed with aluminum particles. Alumide offers a excellent metallic finish with superior thermal properties and dimensional stability. The alumide is a great material for metallic-like parts at low cost.
|
MEASUREMENT |
VALUE |
STANDARD |
|
Tensile Strength, Yield |
48 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Tensile Modulus |
3,800 MPa |
ISO 527 |
|
Elongation at Break |
4% |
ISO 527 |
|
Izod Impact Strength |
29 kJ/m² |
ISO 179 |
|
Heat Deflection Temperature |
179°C @ 0.45 MPa |
ISO 75 |
Surface Finishes | Selective Laser Sintering
Support structures removed and part is media blasted to offer a uniform finish
Support structures removed and part is deep colour dyed black
Start a new SLS Quote
STEP | STP | SLDPRT | STL | DXF | IPT | 3MF | 3DXML | PRT | SAT files
Design Guidelines | Powder Bed Fusion
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing process that uses powdered thermoplastic polymers. Layers are fused together using a laser that selectively scans and hardens the fine particles of powder to create a solid structure. The machine begins sintering at the bottom of the powder bed, building up each cross section by the set layer height of 60-100 um. Parts produced using SLS provide a uniform finish with excellent mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, making it a suitable substitute for injection molding as well as functional prototyping alike.
This design guidelines covers specific design parameters, which will need to be followed to prevent build failures from occurring. We have set minimum allowed tolerances to ensure your parts are built successfully and perform to the the highest standards of the technology.
Optimizing your designs for Selective Laser Sintering will help keep manufacturing costs down. Price is primarily based upon the X, Y, & Z extents of your part. Small, dense parts are priced the most competitively in this technology. Wall thickness has less of effect on the cost of manufacturing your part than the overall size of it.
Our SLS machines have a building volume of: 700 mm x 380 mm x 580 mm (27.6 x 15 x 22.9 in.), a standard layer thickness of 100 um, and a laser diameter of 0.4mm with a laser offset of 0.25mm. SLS offers excellent part accuracy and repeatability with most parts being within +/- 0.25mm. Tighter tolerances are achievable upon request.
Forge Labs standard PA2200 Nylon12 white is capable of meeting USP Class VI biocompatibility for end-use-applications in medical devices.
Minimum Wall Thickness
1 mm
Engraved Details
Thickness & depth of at least 0.8 mm
Embossed Details
Thickness & depth of at least 0.7 mm
Clearance
0.5 mm
Minimum Hole Size
1.5 mm or 3 mm for internal chanels
Layer Height
60 μm- 100 μm
Maximum Build Size
700 mm x 380 mm x 580 mm (27.6 x 15 x 22.9 in.)
Tolerances
±0.25%, with a lower limit of ±0.25 mm.
Surface Finish
Parts are sandblasted and have a uniform grainy matte texture
Warping & Deformities
Avoid large flat planes which are likely to cause warping.
Selective Laser Sintering | Applications
Rapid Turnaround
Whether you need 1 or 1000 parts, get them quickly with Selective Laser Sintering 3D printing.
High Accuracy
Easily produce end-use parts with a uniform finish and excellent aesthetics in a variety of colors.
Durable
Functional parts that are capable of being used in demanding, end-use applications such as aerospace and automotive.
Scalable
The more parts you order, the more efficient and cost effective your parts will be.
Learn How Major Industries Are Using Forge Labs
Aerospace
Automotive
Healthcare
Practical FX
Consumer Products
Case Studies | Powder Bed Fusion
Forge Labs is proud to support the COVID relief efforts, and offers multiple materials suitable for medical-end use applications.
How Forge Labs used a combination of 3D scanning & SLS 3D printing to reconstruct a 12,500 year old fossilized skeleton of bison occidentalis.
