3D Printing Stack Exchange
3D Printing Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [sls]

For questions about the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) method of 3D printing.

For questions regarding troubleshooting, design, maintenance, etc. for the 3D printing method of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).

From Wikipedia - Selective laser sintering:

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that uses a laser as the power source to sinter powdered material (typically nylon/polyamide), aiming the laser automatically at points in space defined by a 3D model, binding the material together to create a solid structure. It is similar to direct metal laser sintering (DMLS); the two are instantiations of the same concept but differ in technical details. Selective laser melting (SLM) uses a comparable concept, but in SLM the material is fully melted rather than sintered, allowing different properties (crystal structure, porosity, and so on). SLS (as well as the other mentioned AM techniques) is a relatively new technology that so far has mainly been used for rapid prototyping and for low-volume production of component parts. Production roles are expanding as the commercialization of AM technology improves.

12 questions
7
votes
2 answers

Is packing multiple prints into the build volume a feasible workflow for powderbed printers?

With fdm printers, the 3D object that should be printed can be positioned anywhere in the build volume. But it's only practical to place it on the bottom, because otherwise support material would be necessary. stereolithography has the same problem.…
the third dimension
  • 638
  • 6
  • 14
6
votes
2 answers

Optimal ratio of fresh to used nylon powder

I am operating a laser sintering machine, using polyamide 2200 powder (with a grain size of approximately 50 micrometers). During a print, a lot of powder goes unsintered and can theoretically be reused. However, using purely recycled powder…
Tom van der Zanden
  • 14,588
  • 2
  • 33
  • 60
5
votes
1 answer

Hatch Distance and Scan Distance

I am going through some of the basics about one of the 3D printing techniques - Selective Laser Sintering, and I am confused between the above mentioned parameters - scan distance and hatch distance. Are they the same ? How do we calculate the value…
sajis997
  • 151
  • 1
  • 2
4
votes
1 answer

Is iron oxide a suitable material for use in SLS/SLM 3d printing?

I recently asked a question in the space section of stackexchange as to if Martian soil, with its decent iron oxide content, could be mined (with magnets) for its iron oxide and the iron oxide used as building material for an SLS/SLM 3d printer. Is…
Steve Mucci
  • 175
  • 3
4
votes
3 answers

Tetrahedral honeycomb?

I have an idea for a 3D printed project, but I'm a total noob in this area and need someone to reality check it for me. Basically what I want to do is a tricopter frame made of a tetrahedral honeycomb. The whole model would be within 30 * 30 * 10…
cube
  • 185
  • 5
3
votes
1 answer

Could you use ultrasonic vibrations instead of a roller with an SLS/SLM printer?

I've been thinking, SLS/SLM printers currently use a roller to spread 3d printing substrate, but wouldn't ultrasonic vibrations spread the substrate more cleanly, accurately, and with greater density than a roller?
Steve Mucci
  • 175
  • 3
3
votes
2 answers

Printing a non-self-aligning caged deep-groove ball bearing

I've recently designed a non-self-aligning caged deep-groove ball bearing. Now I'd love to get one 3D printed. However, assembling those can be tricky and I highly doubt it's even plausible to print them. All the components themselves can be printed…
Mast
  • 217
  • 1
  • 11
2
votes
2 answers

What level of detail can be expected from a consumer-grade SLS printer?

I'd like to prefix this question with the fact that I know virtually nothing about 3D printers, aside from the general principles of how they work. I've recently seen that SLS printers have become more affordable, to the point where in a few years…
MechMK1
  • 123
  • 4
1
vote
1 answer

How are SLS printers able to print multiple colours?

With FFF printers able to manage only a small handful different colours (by using different filaments & extruders), how is it some SLS prints are able to be produced in such a broad range of colours? Are they sprayed post-production?
Crollster
  • 121
  • 5
1
vote
0 answers

How can I clean out internal channels in an SLS polypropylene print?

After SLS printing any internal spaces retain the un-fused but packed powder that was in the bed. I am hoping to add channels as wire raceways internal to the part. Any experiences with this - is it worth the trouble? More specifically, any…
nate
  • 111
  • 2
1
vote
2 answers

SLS 3D printer to DMLS 3D printer

I know that the SLS 3D printer stands for selective laser sintering,where as DMLS stands for direct metal laser sintering. I want to know that,can i convert SLS 3D printer to DMLS. By just changing powder(or another way?)
nihaljp
  • 111
  • 1
0
votes
1 answer

Sealant to increase Water-Resistance of SLS print

We are attempting to print some single-use prototypes using an SLS printer. The parts must be somewhat water-resistant for short-term usage, but do not have to been waterproof entirely. According to this page, Post processing for SLS printed parts…
JPeroutek
  • 101
  • 1