Table of Contents
How does SLS 3D printing?
SLS 3D printing uses a high power laser to sinter small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure based on a 3D model. This fuses the particles together mechanically to create one solid part. The unfused powder supports the part during printing and eliminates the need for dedicated support structures.
How long does SLS 3D printing take?
3. Print. Once all preprint checks have been completed, the machine is ready to print. SLS 3D prints can take anywhere from a few hours to multiple days depending on the size and complexity of parts, as well as the part density.
How strong is SLS 3D printing?
Sintratec PA12 parts have a tensile strength of 47.8 MPa and an elastic modulus of 1.75 GPa. This places printed nylon around half as strong as fiberglass and half as rigid as PVC. Strength, of course, is dependent on layer orientation in the printer, with the Z-direction being the weakest.
Does SLS printing need supports?
Selective laser sintering does not require support structures because unsintered powder surrounds the parts during printing. SLS printing can produce previously impossible complex geometries, such as interlocking or moving parts, parts with interior components or channels, and other highly complex designs.
How fast is SLS printing?
48 mm/h
Printing speed for SLS may reach up to 48 mm/h while FDM can print up from 50 to 150 mm/h depending on the printer. When it comes to printing speed, DLP has the advantage. Since the entire layer of a 3D part is exposed to light at once, the printing process is quicker compared to SLA.
Why are there escape holes in hollow SLS printed parts?
Escape holes are needed to remove the unsintered powder from the inner sections of the component. It is recommended to added to your design at least 2 escape holes with a minimum 5 mm diameter. If high stiffness is required, parts must be printed fully solid.
What are the disadvantages of SLS?
Selective Laser Sintering Disadvantages / Limitations
- Very expensive. The machines can often cost $250,000+, and the materials cost $50-60/kg.
- Cool-down time of 50\% of print time can mean up to 12 hours of waiting. This leads to longer production time.
- Parts have a grainy surface without any post-processing.
Are SLS parts isotropic?
Also, SLS parts are isotropic, meaning they have equal strength in every direction, which is not always the case with layered 3D printed objects.
What is the difference between SLS and SLM?
The processes are similar, but SLS is to produce parts made from various plastics, glass, or ceramics; SLM is commonly used in manufacturing metal or metal alloy parts. What is the difference between annealing vs sintering?
What materials are used for 3D printing?
Many different materials can be used for 3D printing, such as ABS plastic, PLA, polyamide (nylon), glass filled polyamide, stereolithography materials (epoxy resins), silver, titanium, steel, wax, photopolymers and polycarbonate.
What’s the problem with my 3D printer?
10 Common 3D Printing troubleshooting Problems you may have THE PRINTER IS WORKING BUT NOTHING IS PRINTING. You have correctly configured and set the model in the slicing software but yet nothing seems to be happening; no printing NOZZLE IS TOO CLOSE TO THE PRINT BED. The second 3D printing FAQ we will be looking at on our list of common 3D printing issues is the nozzle OVER-EXTRUSION.
What does SLA technology mean in 3D printing?
Stereolithography (SLA or SL; also known as stereolithography apparatus, optical fabrication, photo-solidification, or resin printing) is a form of 3D printing technology used for creating models, prototypes, patterns, and production parts in a layer by layer fashion using photochemical processes by which light causes chemical monomers and oligomers to cross-link together to form polymers.
What are the best 3D printing sites?
Thingiverse.