The Evolution of SLS 3D Printing

At present, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the widely used 3D printing technologies. Enterprises from various sectors use SLS 3D printing technology to produce parts and prototypes with superior strength, stiffness, resolution, and mechanic properties. Also, they have the option to choose from a variety of powdered materials according to precise project needs.

A market analysis report published by Grand View Report suggests a steady increase in the shipment of SLS 3D printers. However, SLS, like other popular 3D printing technologies, has been evolving consistently. We can understand and analyze the evolution of SLS 3D printing based on the technology’s history, materials, use cases, and popularity.

As a Patented 3D Printing Technology

SLS 3D printing technology was developed with the aim to replace liquid materials with powdered materials. Dr. Carl Deckarddeveloped the technology at the University of Texas. He patented the technology in 1988. In 2006, a startup company founded by Dr. Deckard and his academic adviser Dr. Joe Beaman started building and shipping SLS 3D printers commercially. The patent related to SLS 3D printing technology expired in 2014.

As a Non-Patented 3D Printing Technology

SLS became an open-source 3D printing technology after the expiration of the recent patent. Also, the expiration of the recent patent creates opportunities for many companies to build and ship low-cost and compact SLS machines. Many hardware manufacturers these days leverage OpenSLS as an open-source and low-cost platform to build multiple variants of SLS 3D printers. Hence, enterprises and individuals these days have the option to choose from many compact and large SLS 3D printers.

As a Widely Used Industrial 3D Printing Technology

While creating parts and prototypes for industrial projects, many enterprises these days prefer SLS to other widely-used 3D printing technology. Engineers find it easier to produce parts with enhanced strength, dimensional accuracy, and resolution using SLS 3D printers. Also, they love the option to choose from a wide range of powdered materials and filaments according to precise project needs while using SLS 3D printers.

That is why; SLS 3D printing is used widely by enterprises to produce strong and stiff parts with fantastic mechanical properties. The absence of a support structure speeds up the printing process by eliminating many post-processing activities. Also, engineers can leverage the no need for support to produce robust and detailed parts in a short amount of time. SLS 3D printing further curtails overall 3D printing costs by facilitating material recycling and reducing material wastage.

A Wide Range of SLS Materials and Filaments

Unlike other 3D printing technologies, SLS forms parts and prototypes by sintering small particles of powdered materials using a high-power laser. The industrial SLS 3D printers initially produced objects using nylon. Nylon is one of the widely-used engineering thermoplastics. In addition to being strong, durable, and lightweight, nylon facilitates the printing of items that can resist the impact of heat, chemicals, water, dirt, and UV ray.

That is why; engineers still opt for nylon while creating parts and prototypes using SLS 3D printers. But manufacturers have been developing and launching new SLS 3D printing materials regularly. Engineers, at present, have the option to choose from a wide range of nylon-based composite materials and high-performance materials. For instance, they can boost the quality of printed parts or prototypes using composite materials formed by mixing nylon with aluminum, carbon fiber, and glass fiber.

The composition enables them to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of the material. At the same time, engineers can also choose from a slew of high-performance materials – PEEK, PEKK, flexible TPUs, anti-static polymers, and flame-retardant polymers. The emergence of innovative and superior materials contributes hugely toward making SLS a widely-used industrial additive manufacturing technology.

Common and Innovative Applications

Based on the precise needs of a part or prototype, engineers have the option to choose from a wide range of SLS 3D printing machines and materials. Hence, enterprises from various sectors create new use cases of SLS 3D printing regularly. We can summarize the evolution of SLS 3D printing based on some use cases or applications.

Complex Parts Manufacturing

Engineers these days design parts with intricate designs and complex geometries digitally. SLS 3D printing technology makes it easier for engineers to convert digital designs into solid parts or prototypes. Also, engineers can leverage SLS 3D printing to boost a product or process through part consolidation.

Low Volume Production

As mentioned earlier, SLS is a fast and cost-efficient 3D printing technology. It reduces overall printing costs by reducing material wastage. Likewise, it speeds up the printing process by eliminating support structures. Hence, it becomes easier for enterprises to facilitate low-volume productions of parts, tools, and fixtures.

Mass Customization

Manufacturing companies use SLS 3D printers for both small-batch manufacturing and end-use production. The technology further makes it easier for them to customize consumer products on a mass scale without escalating costs. The engineers can perform mass customization of products simply by making relevant changes to the digital 3D model.

Rapid Prototyping

While evaluating an idea or concept, engineers need to fabricate a physical part or model rapidly and repeatedly. SLS 3D printers help engineers to produce prototypes rapidly. The engineers can further refine the prototype by making changes to the digital 3D model or experimenting with new materials.

Material Experimentation

The new-generation SLS 3D printers create opportunities for engineers to experiment with a variety of powdered materials. In addition to using composite materials, engineers can choose materials with superior thermal and mechanical properties. Hence, they can produce innovative parts according to changing project needs.

Conclusion

At present, SLS is a widely used industrial 3D printing technology. But SLS is one of the additive manufacturing technologies that have been evolving consistently. Both individuals and enterprises these days have the option to choose from a wide range of SLS 3D printers and printing materials. The ongoing advancements contribute immensely towards boosting the adoption and popularity of SLS 3D printing.

Source - https://medium.com/@allaboutappsbiz/the-evolution-of-sls-3d-printing-24bc6df91aad

SLS 3D Printing Companies

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the fast and cost-efficient 3D printing technologies that facilitate the construction of three-dimensional structures with high accuracy, strength, resolution, and stiffness. The absence of support structures makes it easier for engineers to print prototypes and functional parts with complex geometries and intricate patterns. The engineers have the option to choose from a wide range of SLS 3D printing materials.

You can avail of professional SLS 3D printing services to construct the desired part, prototype, model, or item without investing in either an SLS 3D printer or SLS 3D printing materials. Most SLS 3D printing companies offer customized 3D printing services. They allow you to choose from several SLS 3D printers and SLS 3D printing materials according to your precise project needs.

Some of these SLS 3D printing companies further offer 3D designing and 3D scanning services along with SLS 3D printing services. But you must remember that the quality of services varies across SLS 3D printing companies. Some companies offer SLS 3D printing services to individual clients, while others offer services to both individuals and enterprises. That is why; you should consider some of the reputable companies offering customized SLS 3D printing services.

Shortlisting Some of the Reputable SLS 3D Printing Companies

Aurum3D

Aurum3D is one of the major 3D Printing companies in Bangalore. It has been providing SLS 3D printing services to both individual and enterprise clients. Aurum3D sends quotes to clients based on the project requirements shared by them in the form of an STL file. It further facilitates SLS 3D printing service customization by allowing clients to specify material type, layer height, resolution, and infill percentage. Aurum3D has built a reputation by providing SLS 3D printing services to enterprises from many sectors – manufacturing, engineering, automotive, aerospace, and education.

Think3D

The Telangana-based company has been delivering 3D-printed prototypes and functional parts to clients using in-house SLS 3D printers. Think3D prints and delivers high-quality items by deploying a technically qualified team. It further keeps the ideas or concepts shared by the client in the form of a digital file by storing them in secure private servers. Think3D has gained popularity by offering customized SLS 3D printing services at competitive rates. It facilitates SLS 3D printing customization by allowing clients to choose from multiple SLS printers and printing materials.

Makenica

The Bangaluru-based company has been providing online SLS 3D printing services to clients across India. Makenica aims to become the top manufacturing platform in India by focusing on quality control and precision. It has been providing 3D printing services to large enterprises like TATA, Siemens, and Qualcomm. You can avail of SLS 3D printing services from Makenica by uploading your ideas or requirements as a digital file. The company allows you to customize the SLS 3D printing process by specifying the dimension and choosing the appropriate material.

Imaginarium

The Mumbai-based company has been providing additive manufacturing services to enterprises from several sectors, including engineering, architecture, jewellery, automotive, and consumer products. Imaginarium facilitates rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing by providing customized additive manufacturing services. You can avail of the customized additive manufacturing services to convert your idea into a three-dimensional product using SLS 3D printing technology. You can receive a quote from Imaginarium after uploading your design to its website.

Stratasys

The direct manufacturing service provided by Stratasys helps you produce functional prototypes and production parts using SLS 3D printing technology. The 3D printing company customizes SLS 3D printing services by allowing you to choose from a wide range of Nylon 1 and Nylon 2 materials. You can evaluate the pros and cons of individual SLS 3D printing materials by reading the information posted on the website. Also, you can generate an instant quote simply by sharing your requirements in the form of a CAD file.

3Ding

3Ding is one of the SLS 3D printing companies that allow clients to buy or rent 3D printers as well as avail of 3D printing services. The Chennai-based company has already provided 3D printing services to over 7500 clients. It helps you convert your idea into a three-dimensional item by choosing SLS 3D printing technology along with the appropriate materials. It allows you to choose from a wide range of materials according to your specific project needs. You can opt for the MaaS platform to produce any number of items using SLS 3D printers.

Karkhana

Karkhana provides SLS 3D printing services through access to the production capacity of over 150 manufacturers. It further ensures 3D printing quality by implementing quality standards as well as conducting factory audits and part inspections. You also have the option to customize the SLS 3D printing process choosing from two materials – glass-filled nylon and Nylon PA2. You can receive an instant quote from Karkhana after uploading your CAD file.

3DStreet

3DStreet has been providing SLS 3D printing services to clients across India in offline mode. It further ensures quality by supporting end-user functional testing. The company has already provided SLS 3D printing services to enterprises from the manufacturing, electronics, and R&D sectors. But it does not allow you to choose from multiple forms of materials or filaments. Also, you can receive a quote from 3DStreet only by submitting your mobile number.

EOS

EOS has over 27 years of experience in providing SLS 3D printing services to enterprises. It helps clients to boost the quality of 3D-printer parts and prototypes by choosing the right SLS 3D printer and SLS 3D printing material. The SLS 3D printing company allows you to choose from 12 SLS 3D printing materials according to your precise project requirements. It boosts the quality of the powdered materials through elaborate QA testing. Also, EOS is one of the SLS 3D printing companies that introduce new materials to meet changing industry trends.

Most SLS 3D printing companies these days offer services to clients through their websites. Hence, you can avail of customized 3D printing services without choosing a 3D printing company near your location. But you can boost the quality of the 3D-printed item only by choosing a company that provides customized 3D printing service.