Economic aspects of SLS technology: production costs compared to traditional manufacturing methods

Selective laser sintering (SLS) technology with PA12 polymer brings significant changes in production economics, offering an alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. Analyzing the costs associated with SLS compared to conventional techniques such as CNC machining or injection molding reveals several key economic aspects. The largest Polish company specializing in this additive manufacturing method is Technology Applied.

One of the main advantages of SLS is the lack of need to create dedicated molds or tools. In the case of traditional methods such as injection molding, initial costs can be high, especially in small batch production. SLS allows you to produce directly from digital data, eliminating the need to invest in expensive molds. SLS also enables rapid iteration of projects and adaptation to changing market requirements. In traditional methods, each design change often involves additional costs and time, whereas in selective laser sintering, modifications are relatively simple and do not require additional financial outlays.

In SLS technology, material is added layer by layer, which minimizes the amount of waste. In traditional techniques such as CNC machining, some material is lost in the machining process. Optimizing material consumption in SLS translates into cost and ecological savings. This also translates into reduced storage and logistics costs – 3D printing enables on-demand production, which reduces the need to store large amounts of inventory. In traditional methods, costs related to warehousing and logistics can significantly impact the overall production budget.

While the initial investment in an SLS 3D printer can be significant, long-term maintenance costs are typically lower compared to the complex systems used in traditional methods. Additionally, SLS’s versatility in using different materials increases the profitability of the investment. If, for various reasons, a company cannot afford to purchase an SLS 3D printer, or wants to test this method on its own products before purchasing it, it is worth using the services of a company specializing in this type of method, such as Technology Applied.

In summary, SLS offers significant economic benefits, particularly in terms of flexibility, waste reduction and lower upfront costs. These aspects make SLS technology with PA12 an attractive alternative to traditional production methods, especially in the context of small-batch production and rapid prototyping.

Photos: www.ta.parts