About this Process
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 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.
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
General
- Functional Proof of Concept Models
- Design Evaluation Models (Form & Fit)
- Engineering Design Verification
- Product Performance and Testing
- Wind-Tunnel Test Models
Rapid Manufacturing
- Aerospace Hardware
- Medical and Healthcare
- Electronics; Packaging, Connectors
- Homeland Security
- Military Hardware
Tooling and Patterns
- Jigs and Fixtures
- Investment Casting Patterns
Production
- Short run end use components
- Complex plastic parts
- Part consolidation exercises
Mechanical Properties | Tensile Strength | Tensile Modulus | Tensile Elongation at Break | Flexural Modulus | Izod Impact- Notched |
Heat Deflection Temp @66psi |
Hardness | Melting Point | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Test Method | ASTM D638 | ASTM D638 | ASTM D638 | ASTM D790 | ASTM D256 | ASTM D648 | ASTM D2240 | DSC | ||||
Units | psi | psi | % | psi | (ft-lb)/in | ºF | Shore D | ºF | ||||
Nylon (Duraform PA) |
6,237 | 230,000 | 14% | 201,000 | 0.6 | 356 | 73 | |||||
Glass Filled Nylon (Duraform GF) | 3,771 | 590,000 | 1.4% | 450,000 | 0.8 | 354 | 77 | |||||
Durable Nylon (Duraform EX) |
5,366 | 220,000 | 47% | 190,000 | 1.2 | 370 | ||||||
Fiber-filled Nylon (Duraform HST) |
|
421,000 - 434,000 |
|
381,000 - 410,000 | 0.7 | 354 | 75 |
Standard (Uncoated) Finish – Remove loose powder and bead blast
Standard (Coated) Finish – Remove loose powder, bead blast, apply sealant
Paint Ready Finish – Standard (Uncoated) Finish plus remove build/layer lines on visual (cosmetic) surfaces with 80 through 150 grit sandpaper, apply primer and sand with 220 grit sandpaper, apply additional primer and sand with 320 grit sandpaper, apply final primer coat and sand with 600 grit sandpaper (build/layer lines will be visible on non-cosmetic surfaces
Painted Finish – Paint ready finish with the customer-specified paint color applied
Dyed Finish – Standard uncoated finish with dye applied
Custom Finish – Specified by the customer
ProX SLS 6100
Production-grade nylon 3D printer delivering best-in-class part quality, fast build times and automated production tools
sPro 60 HD-HS
Compact SLS printer for broad range of thermoplastic, composite and elastomeric materials
sPro 140
High repeatability and throughput of sls production parts
sPro 230
Large capacity SLS printer for high throughput of tough and durable thermoplastic parts