Basics of SLS technology: how does 3D printing using Selective Laser Sintering work?

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) technology is an advanced 3D printing method, which is one of the most popular additive techniques, especially in the context of the use of polymers such as PA12 (polyamide 12 / nylon 12). This innovative approach to creating three-dimensional objects combines precision, design flexibility and durability of the final product, which makes it applicable in many industries, from prototyping to the production of final parts. The largest company in Poland using this additive technique is Technology Applied, which uses three 3D printers from the German company EOS.

The production process using SLS technology begins with the preparation of a digital 3D model. Then, a layer of powdered polymer is spread in the 3D printer chamber, and a high-power laser precisely scans the surface of the layer, spot-heating it to a temperature slightly lower than the melting point. This causes the powder particles to sinter (i.e. fuse) in places defined by the digital design. Once the layer is sintered, a new layer of powder is spread and the process is repeated, building the target part layer by layer.

The main material used in this process is PA12 – a popular industrial-grade polymer that is valued in SLS 3D printing due to its strength, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion and weather conditions. It is an ideal material for creating complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional machining methods. Its physical properties make it suitable for a wide range of applications, from engineering components to advanced prototypes. Technology Applied mainly uses PA12, but the company’s offer also includes other materials for 3D printing using SLS technology.

The advantages of SLS using PA12 include the ability to create highly accurate and complex parts without the need for additional support structures, which is a typical limitation in other 3D printing techniques. This allows you to create moving parts, assemblies and complex internal structures in a single production process. The above-mentioned durability and resistance to external conditions make PA12 products not only prototypes, but often full-fledged elements ready for use in real conditions.

In summary, SLS technology using PA12 polymer represents a modern approach to additive manufacturing, offering unparalleled opportunities to design and create durable, functional parts with applications in virtually every industry. To learn more about our ability to produce advanced, industrial-grade parts, contact Technology Applied.

Photos: www.ta.parts