Powder Bed Fusion
SLS 3D Printing Services
Selective Laser Sintering
Tough, lightweight, and support-free nylon parts for demanding applications. SLS delivers exceptional mechanical properties with complete design freedom—perfect for end-use components and complex geometries.
How SLS 3D Printing Works
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) uses a high-powered laser to selectively fuse nylon powder particles layer by layer. Because unfused powder supports overhangs during printing, SLS requires no support structures—enabling truly complex geometries.
This support-free process makes SLS ideal for interlocking assemblies, internal channels, lattice structures, and parts that would be impossible with other technologies. The resulting nylon parts have excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and consistent performance across all orientations.
Key Advantages
- No Supports Needed: Print complex internal features and interlocking parts
- Exceptional Strength: Mechanical properties approaching injection-molded nylon
- Isotropic Properties: Consistent strength in all directions, unlike FDM
- Design Freedom: Living hinges, snap-fits, and enclosed volumes
- Batch Efficiency: Cost-effective for low-to-medium production runs
File Check & Nesting
We optimize part orientation and nest multiple parts in the build volume for efficiency.
Laser Sintering
High-powered CO₂ laser selectively fuses nylon powder layer by layer.
Cooling
Parts cool gradually in the powder bed to prevent warping (12–24 hours).
Depowdering & Finish
Excess powder is removed. Optional bead blasting available as an add-on.
SLS Nylon Materials
Engineering-grade nylon powders with exceptional mechanical properties. Each material is optimized for specific performance requirements.
Nylon PA12
Most PopularThe industry standard for SLS. Excellent balance of strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance. Biocompatible to USP Class VI standards.
Glass-Filled Nylon (PA12 GF)
High Performance40% glass-bead reinforced for exceptional stiffness and dimensional stability. Ideal for structural components and high-load applications.
SLS Design Guidelines
Optimize your designs for SLS manufacturing. The support-free process enables geometries impossible with other technologies.
Build Volume
160×160×295mm
Parts are nested in the build volume. Multiple parts can be printed simultaneously for batch efficiency.
Tolerance
±0.3mm or ±0.5%
Whichever is greater. Large flat pieces may have more variation.
Layer Height
0.1mm
Minimum Wall Thickness
0.6mm
Thicker walls provide significantly better strength.
Minimum Hole Diameter
1mm diameter
Through holes must also allow for line-of-sight clearance to ensure all material is cleared during post-processing.
Surface Finish
Fine matte texture
Uniform, slightly grainy texture.
What SLS Is Best For
Complex Geometries
Internal channels, lattice structures, and interlocking assemblies that can't be made with other processes.
End-Use Production Parts
Production components with injection-molded-like properties. No tooling costs for low-to-medium volumes.
Living Hinges & Snap-Fits
Functional hinges, clips, and snap-together assemblies that flex without breaking.
Aerospace & Automotive
Lightweight, high-strength components for aircraft interiors, UAVs, and automotive applications.
Medical & Prosthetics
Biocompatible components, prosthetic sockets, surgical guides, and patient-specific devices.
Ducts & Housings
Air ducts, cable management, enclosures, and protective housings with excellent chemical resistance.
SLS Post-Processing
Standard depowdering is included. Bead blasting is available as an add-on.
Standard (Depowdered)
Default finish after powder removal. Parts are cleaned of excess powder and ready for use or further finishing.
IncludedBead Blasting
Media blasting creates a clean, uniform matte white texture. Removes surface powder residue and provides a smooth, consistent finish.
Add-OnSLS 3D Printing Questions
How does SLS compare to FDM and SLA?
SLS produces durable nylon parts with excellent design freedom—no supports needed, and strength that’s generally more uniform than FDM. FDM is more cost-effective and great for larger parts, but often shows layer lines and has more directional strength. SLA delivers the highest detail and smoothest surfaces, but many resins are less impact-resistant than nylon. Choose SLS for functional end-use parts, snap-fits, and complex geometries.
Why does SLS take longer than FDM?
SLS parts need gradual cooling in the powder bed (12–24 hours) to prevent warping. This cooldown plus powder removal adds time compared to FDM. However, SLS can batch many parts in a single build, often making it more efficient for multiple-part orders.
Are SLS parts as strong as injection-molded?
Often, they can be comparable for many PA12 nylon applications—especially for prototypes and low-volume production. Mechanical properties depend on material grade, part geometry, and process settings; SLS strength is typically more uniform than FDM, but it isn’t perfectly identical to injection molding in every direction or finish. SLS is commonly used when tooling isn’t justified or when you need complex geometry without supports.
What factors affect SLS printing cost?
Cost depends on the part’s size/volume (and how efficiently it can be nested in the build), material choice, and finishing options. Because SLS can batch many parts in a single build, ordering multiple parts often improves the per-part price. We provide transparent pricing upfront.
Can SLS parts be watertight?
Standard SLS parts are slightly porous, which is a characteristic of the powder bed fusion process. The material itself has good chemical resistance, and parts with walls thicker than 3mm are watertight. For applications requiring complete air tightness, or pressurized water tighness, post-processing/sealing is recommended.
What's the maximum part size for SLS?
Our build volume is 160×160×295mm. Larger parts can be printed in sections and bonded together. For oversized parts, we work with partner facilities offering larger SLS systems.
Ready for Industrial SLS Printing?
Upload your file and get tough, support-free nylon parts. Production-ready strength with complete design freedom.