Manufacturing services · Chapter F · Method 33

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

A laser fuses nylon powder layer by layer. Surrounding powder supports the part, so complex shapes need no support structures.

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SLS printer powder bed after a build layer. Representative process photo · Creative Tools from Halmstad, Sweden · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

How it works

Selective laser sintering (SLS), step by step.

A labelled schematic of the process (not to scale), and the four steps every job goes through.

Labelled diagram showing how selective laser sintering (sls) works — Schematic · not to scale. Drawn by TCI Group.

STEP 01

Spread

A recoater spreads a thin layer of powder.

STEP 02

Sinter

The laser fuses the cross-section.

STEP 03

Repeat

The bed drops; the next layer is spread.

STEP 04

Cool & clean

Cool the build; blast off loose powder.

Reference figures

What to expect.

Typical industry values to help you plan. We agree the figures for your part on the drawing.

Tolerance±0.38 mm or ±0.002 mm/mmNylon 12, whichever greater

Tpu±0.51 mmOr ±0.003 mm/mm

FinishRa 8–13 µmAs printed

Min Feature~0.8 mmRaised features

Materials	Nylon 12, Nylon 11, glass and carbon-filled nylon, TPU, PP.
Finishes	Grainy matte as standard; dyed black, bead blasted, vapour smoothed or painted.
Design guidance	Keep walls even; large flat areas may warp. Add escape holes for hollow parts. Holes under 1 mm may sinter shut.
Best suited to	Functional prototypes, housings, ducts and short production runs.
Watch-outs	Grainy surface; tight tolerances need engineering review.

Other methods in 3D printing

Previous: FDM / FFF printing Next: Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

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Reference figures are typical published industry values for planning, not a guarantee; final tolerances, materials and finishes are agreed in writing for each project.