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What is SLS 3D Printing?
The advent of Industry 4.0 heralds a transformative era, marked by rapid technological innovations that are reshaping the manufacturing landscape. This revolution is not merely continuing; it is accelerating, urging businesses to either evolve their models or face the risk of becoming obsolete.
At the vanguard of this industrial evolution is 3D printing, a critical technology poised to revolutionise established manufacturing practices. Our new Prodways P1000 SLS 3D printer stands as a testament to this shift. It delivers unprecedented precision, efficiency, and customisation options that go beyond the capabilities of traditional manufacturing.Adopting these advanced technologies is imperative for maintaining competitive edge and relevance in today's market.
We invite you to join us in harnessing the potential of advanced 3D printing, to future-proof your operations and spearhead innovation in this new industrial epoch.
Together, we can redefine the standards of manufacturing and secure your position at the forefront of the industry.
The Xtreme Team: Your Partner in Professional, Production, and Industrial Part Manufacturing.
Whether you are facing challenges with low volume requirements, complex part geometries, critical end-use components, or supply chain delays, we are here to provide optimal solutions.
Get your parts manufactured locally with our world-class, advanced 3D printing technologies.
We ensure professional service tailored to meet the needs of manufacturers and innovators like you.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a sophisticated industrial 3D printing process that swiftly produces precise prototypes and functional production parts, often within a single day. This technique utilises a range of nylon-based materials to create exceptionally durable final products.
How It Works:
In SLS, a high-powered laser selectively sinters polymer powder particles, fusing them together to build a part layer by layer.
Powder Layering: The process begins with the laser sintering machine spreading a thin layer of plastic powder onto a build platform.
Laser Sintering: A laser, or sometimes multiple lasers, selectively melts the powder according to the specific design of each layer.
Layer Addition: After each layer is sintered, the build platform is lowered, and a new layer of powder is applied on top. This cycle repeats, building the parts up layer by layer within the powder bed.
Post-Processing:
Once the printing process is complete, the powder bed containing the encapsulated parts is transferred to a breakout station. Here, the bed is elevated, and the parts are carefully excavated from the powder. The parts undergo an initial manual brushing to remove most of the loose powder, followed by bead blasting to eliminate any remaining residue.
Finally, the parts are sent to the finishing department for the final touches.
Benefits of SLS:
Speed: Rapid production capabilities allow for parts to be created in as little as one day.
Strength: Utilizes durable, nylon-based materials that are suitable for a wide range of functional applications.
Precision: Achieves high accuracy and excellent part complexity without the need for support structures.
SLS technology is ideal for engineers and manufacturers who require quick turnaround and robust, functional parts with complex geometries. Whether for prototype development or end-use production, SLS offers a reliable and efficient solution.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a cutting-edge industrial 3D printing process designed for the efficient manufacturing of end-use parts.
Our customers frequently choose SLS for its cost-efficiency and ability to handle the most complex parts, including those requiring extensive customisation.
Whether for intricate designs or high-performance applications, SLS printing delivers precision and reliability, making it a preferred method in various industries.
SLS 3D Printing capabilities in South Africa
| Maximum build size | Standard lead time | Dimensional accuracy | Layer thickness | Minimum feature size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 x 300 x 300mm | 3 working days | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012 in) | 100μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
SLS materials in South Africa
SLS 3D printing uses robust powder materials that are ideal for functional prototyping and low- to-medium volume production of end-use parts.
| Material | Color | Resolution | Tensile strength | Elongation at break | Heat deflection temperature | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon (PA 12) | White, dyed black - other colours on request | 100 μm | 41-50 MPa | 11-36% | 146-180 °C | Prototypes, detailed and complex parts, fully functional models, and end products. |
Additional materials, including TPE, Glass Filled Nylon, and others, are available upon request.
SLS surface finishes
As printed
Typically white or stone grey, smooth surface, powder texture, without visible layers.
Dyed (black and other colours)
Dyed black by immersion in a warm color bath. The color penetration reaches a depth of about 0.5 mm and covers all surfaces.
South African Manufacturing Standards for SLS 3D Printed Parts
We manufacture your custom parts according to strict South African manufacturing standards, ensuring that all parts and processes adhere to the the highest standards.
Each order comes with a comprehensive inspection report verifying that these standards have been met.
After printing, parts undergo bead blasting followed by air blasting to remove any excess powder from the surface.
To further enhance the appearance and functionality of the parts, we offer additional post-processing options, including dyeing and tumbling.
These finishing touches ensure that your parts not only meet but exceed your expectations in terms of quality and aesthetics.
Design guidelines for SLS printing in South Africa
The table below summarizes the recommended and technically feasible values for the most common features encountered in SLS 3D printed parts.
| Feature | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Unsupported walls | 1.0 mm (0.040 in) |
| Supported walls | 0.8 mm (0.031 in) |
| Minimum detail size | 0.8 mm (0.031 in) |
| Minimum hole size | 1.0 mm (0.040 in) |
| Moving parts | 0.5 mm (0.020 in) |
| Assembly clearance | 0.4 mm (0.016 in) |
| Maximum wall thickness | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
Advantages and drawbacks of SLS 3D printing
Advantages
- No support material is needed
- Excellent layer adhesion
- Fast printing process for functional
- Durable prototypes or end-use parts
- Materials have good mechanical properties
Drawbacks
- As-printed parts are rough to the touch due to surface porosity
- SLS is prone to shrinkage and warping, especially on long, thin parts, which can be resolved with part orientation / nesting
How SLS stacks up against other 3D printing technologies in South Africa
| Table header 0 | Materials | Price | Dimensional accuracy | Strengths | Build volume | Layer thickness | Min. feature size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDM | 5 | R | ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm | Low cost, wide range of materials | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 100-300μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Industrial FDM | 6 | RRRR | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | High level of repeatability, engineering grade materials | 406 x 355 x 406 mm (15.98” x 13.97” x 15.98") | 100-330μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Prototyping SLA | 8 | RR | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details | 145 × 145 × 175 mm (5.7" x 5.7" x 6.8") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| Industrial SLA | 3 | RRR | ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.13 mm (± 0.005") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details, big print area | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| SLS | 4 | RR | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012”) | Design flexibility, supports not required | 395 x 500 x 395 mm (15.53" x 19.68" x 15.53") | 100μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
| MJF | 2 | RRR | ± 0.3% with a lower limit on ± 0.3 mm (0.012’') | Design flexibility, supports not required | 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9’’ x 11.2’’ x 14.9’') | 80μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
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Our Faculties
We offer more than 40 undergraduae courses at Universalis for a wide range of subjects.