SLS (selective laser sintering) makes tough nylon parts with no support structures. It's the process to reach for when you need durable functional parts, complex shapes, snap fits or a batch of small parts that all match.
How SLS works
A thin layer of nylon powder is spread across a heated bed. A laser traces the part's cross-section and fuses the powder. The bed drops, a new layer is spread, and it repeats. The loose powder supports the part as it grows, so overhangs, internal channels and interlocking parts need no supports at all. When the build cools, parts are dug out of the powder and bead blasted.
What SLS is good for
- Functional end-use parts: housings, brackets, clips, ducts and enclosures.
- Living hinges and snap fits that flex thousands of times.
- Complex geometry: lattices, internal channels and assemblies printed already connected.
- Batches: many small parts nested in one build, all with consistent quality.
Materials
- PA12 nylon: the standard. Strong, slightly flexible, good chemical resistance.
- PA11 nylon: tougher and more impact resistant.
- Glass or carbon filled nylon: stiffer, for parts that must not flex.
- TPU powder: flexible rubber-like parts.
Limits to know
- The surface is slightly grainy, like fine sandpaper. Parts come gray or white and are often dyed black.
- It costs more than FDM for one-off simple parts. SLS shines when parts are complex or ordered in batches.
- Thin walls under about 0.7 mm and very large flat parts can warp.
SLS vs FDM in one line
FDM is the quick, inexpensive choice for most plastic parts. SLS is the choice when strength in every direction, complex shapes or a batch of identical small parts matter more than price. See FDM materials.
We have access to SLS machines for customer orders. Why order SLS through us · Request an SLS quote