Selective Laser Sintering

Perfect for functional testing, rapid prototyping, high-heat and chemically resistant applications.

Process Comparison Table

	Stereolithography (SLA)	Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)	Direct Metal Printing (DMP)	ColorJet Printing (CJP)	Fused Desposition Modeling	Cast Urethane
Applications	Excellent for fit and form testing Best surface quality and highest resolution, ideal for trade show quality parts Easily finished and painted for demonstration/presentation models	Ideal for durable, functional parts with a variety of applications Capable of producing snap fits and living hinges Heat and chemically resistant	Perfect for complex metal parts that need to be manufactured quickly and accurately Fully dense parts with excellent surface finish	Excellent for demonstration models with full color printing. Perfect for archiecture, consumer product design, healthcare, educational models, crystallography, medical teaching models and more	Ideal for Conceptual models, Engineering models, and Functional testing prototypes.	Ideal for marketing samples Production-like attributes (surface finish, color, accuracy & material properties)


Instant Quoting Maximum Dimensions	Normal Res: 29" x 25" x 21" High Res: 10" x 10" x 10"	30" x 20" x 20"	10.6" x 10.6" x 15.7"	10" x 15" x 8"	14" x 16" x 16"	-


Layer Thickness	Normal Res: .004" High Res: .002"	Normal Res: 0.004"	Normal Res: 0.0024" High Res: 0.0012"	0.004"	Standard Resolution: 0.01";	-
Layer Thickness	Normal Res: .004" High Res: .002"	Normal Res: 0.004"	Normal Res: 0.0024" High Res: 0.0012"	0.004"	Standard Resolution: 0.01";	-
Material Options	Technician's Choice, Accura 25 (ABS/PP-Like), Accura Xtreme White, Accura Xtreme Grey (High-Impact ABS-Like), Somos Next (High-Impact ABS-Like), Accura SL 7820 (ABS-Like), Accura 60 (PC-Like), Accura ClearVue (PC-Like), Accura Bluestone (High-Temp ABS-Like), Accura 48 (High-Temp PC-Like)	Nylon (Duraform PA), Glass-Filled Nylon (Duraform GF), Durable Nylon (Duraform EX Black & White)	Titanium (Ti6Al4V Grade 5), Stainless Steel (316L)	VisiJet PXL	ABS-M30, PC-ABS, Ultem, Polycarbonate	ABS-Like, PE-Like, PP-Like, Elastomer (25A, 30A, 40A, 50A, 60A, 70A, 80A, 90A), Clear, High-strength, High-temp ABS-Like, Custom (Glass Filled, MRI Transparent, ABS-Like, FDA Approved Rigid, FDA Approved Elastomeric, UL94VO Polypropylene, UL94VO ABS-Like
Material Options			Titanium (Ti6Al4V Grade 5), Stainless Steel (316L)	VisiJet PXL	ABS-M30, PC-ABS, Ultem, Polycarbonate
Finish Options	Standard, Pattern, Primed, Paint, Quick Clear, Gloss, Water Clear	Standard Uncoated, Standard Coated, Primed, Painted, Dyed	Anodized, EDM, Grinding, Heat Treated, Milling, Polished, Turning, Welding	Standard (With ColorBond Infiltration)	No finish, Standard, Primed, Paint	Functional, Show, Clear (Polished)
Lead Time Options	As little as 2 days	As little as 3 days	As little as 8 business days	Standard (5 -7 Days)	Standard (3 - 5 days)	First article in as little as 6 days
Recommended Minimum Feature Size	Normal Res: 0.025" - 0.035" High Res: 0.010" - 0.015"	0.030"	0.010"	.060"	0.025"	0.025"

SLS uses a high-powered C02 laser to fuse small particles of powdered material to create 3 dimensional parts. The laser selectively fuses powdered material by scanning X&Y cross-sections on the surface of a powder bed. The model is built one layer at a time from supplied 3D CAD data. SLS is capable of producing highly durable parts for real-world testing.

Produce highly complex geometries
Durable, high-heat and chemically resistant applications
Impact-resistant parts for rigorous use
Ideal for snap fits and living hinges
Low-volume production solutions
Major time and cost benefits
Large build platforms available

Tolerances for standard resolution:

X/Y planes: +/- .005” for the first inch, plus +/- .005” for every inch thereafter

Z plane: +/- .010” for the first inch, plus +/- .005” for every inch thereafter

SLS produces parts from impact-resistant engineering plastic, great for low- to mid-volume end-use parts, enclosures, snap-fit parts, automotive components and thin-walled ducting.

SLS produces complex geometries, for low-volume parts that would typically require assembly using traditional manufacturing methods.

Download the SLS Design Guide