How to design parts for SLS 3D printing?

In today’s technology-driven world, manufacturers get to choose from a wide range of parts manufacturing techniques. One such advanced manufacturing technique is SLS 3D printing process. SLS 3D printing is considered one of the best methods for designing functional parts that have an intricate structure. In addition to having fewer design constraints, this latest parts fabrication technique is capable of manufacturing products in batches. Make use of high-quality SLS prototypes.

Here’s how SLS printing process 3D prints your parts.

Working of Selective Laser Sintering Process

SLS is one of the famous additive manufacturing technique in which a printer and a laser is utilized to heat up the powder part to design the finished products in layers. To put it in simple terms, this technique transforms powdered material into solid parts following the 3D printing model. It has been decades since Selective Laser Sintering is considered the foremost choice of manufacturers and designers. Perhaps, this is because of the high productivity, low cost per part production, and high-end material that make SLS printing an ideal option for the manufacturers. The advancement in technology, machinery, and software have made it possible for a large number of manufacturing units to embrace this technology. Here’s the working of the SLS system:

1. The powdered material is dispersed in the chamber of the machine. The powder is heated by the laser printer to the melting point that’s lower than the temperature of the raw material. The temperature of the raw material is adjusted by the laser when the part is solidified.

2. The powdered parts are in an unfused state when they are dispersed in the chamber. As soon as the device scans the 3D model, the powder is heated which drives the material to fuse in order to get solidified and create a solid part.

3. As soon as the powder is fused and solidified, the new layer of the powder gets on the platform. The new set of powdered material is heated and the laser scans the 3D model of the new layer before solidifying it.

4. This process of converting powdered parts into solidified materials is repeatedly performed until all the parts are created. Meanwhile, the already finished parts remain inside the printer for the cooling process.

5. Once the parts are cooled, the operator automatically takes out the entire build chamber containing solidified parts. This chamber is then sent to the cleaning station where the unfused powder is eliminated.

Post-Processing and Part recovery

SLS prototypes and process is especially known for manufacturing parts in batches. Since the machine works automatically, it does not require labour work. In addition, it takes the least amount of time to process the materials and convert them into finished products. As soon as the job of the printer is completed, the parts are cooled down and sent to the cleaning station where they are manually cleaned.

This is how the Selective Laser Sintering procedure works. It’s rapid processing, minimal labor requirement, and top-notch output makes it one of the most reliable 3D printing techniques in the current era.