SLS 3D Printing Service
Transforming Ideas into Reality with SLS 3D Printing.Whether you’re designing complex prototypes, crafting functional parts, or scaling production, our advanced SLS technology delivers unmatched accuracy, material versatility, and speed. Partner with us to turn your most ambitious ideas into high-performance, tangible products.
- 5+ State-of-the-Art Equipments
- 4+ Materials on Board
- Quick Turnaround Times as Fast as 3-Days
Overview of SLS 3D Printing
What is SLS 3D Pringting？
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an advanced additive manufacturing process that utilizes lasers to selectively fuse powdered materials, typically nylon or other polymers, into solid objects, layer by layer. This technology excels at producing highly complex and intricate parts with exceptional accuracy and fine detail, all without the need for support structures. By sintering the powder material with precision, SLS enables the creation of geometrically complex components that are challenging or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods.
How SLS Works
Powder Layering:
A thin layer of powdered material (typically nylon, but can also include other thermoplastics or composites) is spread across the build platform of the 3D printer.
Laser Sintering:
A laser beam selectively scans the surface of the powder, following the design of the part being printed. The laser heats the powder just below its melting point, causing the particles to fuse together (a process known as “sintering”).
Layer-by-Layer Construction:
After a layer is completed, the build platform lowers slightly, and a new layer of powder is applied. The process repeats, with the laser fusing each new layer to the one below it, building the part from the bottom up.
Cooling and Post-Processing:
Once the printing is complete, the entire build chamber needs to cool down. The finished part is then removed from the powder bed, cleaned, and may undergo additional post-processing (e.g., polishing, dyeing, or coating).
ProtoTi SLA 3D Printing Capabilities
Name
Min. Wall Thickness
Max. Build Size
Tolerance
Support Structures
Lead time
Selective Laser Sintering
0.8 mm
400 x 350 x 350 mm
±0.2 mm
No
from 3 business days
SLA 3D Printing Parts Using Various Materials
Standard Resin(White)
Achieve clean, detailed, and professional-grade prints with our Standard White Resin 3D Printing service. Perfect for prototypes, models, and intricate designs, this resin offers a smooth, high-quality finish and exceptional precision. Its durability and aesthetic appeal make it an ideal choice for a wide range of applications.
Tough Resin(Green)
Discover the strength and durability of our Tough Resin (Green) 3D Printing service. Engineered for robust performance, this resin is ideal for functional prototypes and end-use parts requiring high impact resistance. With a smooth finish and excellent detail resolution, it’s perfect for demanding applications that need both toughness and precision.
SLA 3D Printing Material Specifications
Material Name
Description
Max. Build Size
Elongation at Break (%)
Flexural Strength (MPa)
HDT@0.46 MPa (°C)
Standard Resin
White, ABS-like
1650 x 780 x 550 mm
7%
47 MPa
46℃
Tough Resin
White, Light Green, Black, ABS-like
780 x 780 x 550 mm
13%
60 MPa
60℃
Translucent Resin
Translucent, PC-like
780 x 780 x 550 mm
7%
67 MPa
47℃
Transparent Resin
Transparent, Clear, PC-like
780 x 780 x 550 mm
7%
67 MPa
47℃
High Temperature Resin
White, ABS-like
780 x 780 x 550 mm
5%
136 MPa
220℃
SLA 3D Printing PROS & CONS
Pros
High Precision and Detail:
SLA 3D printing excels in producing intricate details and fine features, making it ideal for applications that require high accuracy.
Smooth Surface Finish:
The process results in parts with smooth surfaces right out of the printer, often requiring minimal post-processing compared to other 3D printing methods.
Excellent for Complex Geometries:
SLA is particularly effective for creating complex shapes, internal channels, and intricate designs that would be challenging with other manufacturing techniques.
Rapid Prototyping:
Ideal for quickly producing functional prototypes, SLA allows designers to iterate and refine designs before moving to mass production.
Cons
Material Fragility:
Standard SLA resins can be brittle, making them less suitable for parts that require high impact resistance or flexibility unless specialized resins are used.
Post-Processing Required:
SLA parts require post-processing, such as cleaning with isopropyl alcohol and UV curing, which adds time and effort to the overall process.
SLA 3D Printing FAQs
1. What is SLA 3D Printing?
SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printing is a technology that uses a laser to cure and harden liquid resin layer by layer, creating highly detailed and precise 3D objects with smooth surface finishes.
2. What materials are used in SLA 3D printing?
SLA 3D printing uses photopolymer resins, available in various types such as standard resin, tough resin, flexible resin, and transparent resin, each suited for different applications.
3. How accurate is SLA 3D printing?
SLA 3D printing is known for its high accuracy, typically achieving layer heights as small as 25 microns, which allows for very fine details and smooth surfaces in the final printed objects.
4. What types of objects can be made with SLA 3D printing?
SLA 3D printing is ideal for creating prototypes, intricate models, functional parts, custom jewelry, dental models, and more. It’s suitable for both low-volume manufacturing and end-use parts.
5. How durable are SLA 3D printed parts?
The durability of SLA-printed parts depends on the type of resin used. Standard resin offers good all-around properties, while tough resin is designed for high impact resistance, and flexible resin offers elasticity.
6. What post-processing is required for SLA 3D printed parts?
After printing, SLA parts typically need to be rinsed in isopropyl alcohol to remove excess resin, followed by a post-curing process under UV light to fully harden the parts and improve their mechanical properties.
7. How long does SLA 3D printing take?
The time required for SLA 3D printing depends on the complexity, size, and layer resolution of the model. Printing can take anywhere from a few hours to over a day for more complex parts.
8. What file formats are accepted for SLA 3D printing?
Common file formats for SLA 3D printing include STL, OBJ, and STEP. These files should be prepared with the correct orientation, supports, and resolution to ensure optimal printing results.
9. Can SLA 3D printed parts be painted or finished?
Yes, SLA 3D printed parts can be sanded, primed, and painted for a smooth finish. Additional post-processing options include polishing, dyeing, and applying a clear coat for enhanced durability and appearance.
10. How does SLA 3D printing compare to other 3D printing technologies?
SLA offers superior surface quality, fine details, and higher resolution compared to FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering). However, it may be more expensive and slower, and the material options are more limited.
Other 3D Printing Capabilities from ProtoTi
SLA
Stereolithography
- Visual part prototyping. High resolution. Low cost.
- Dimensional accuracy of ±0.2% with a lower limit of ±0.2mm.
- Lead times from 2 business days
SLS
Selective Laser Sintering
- Functional prototyping. Low-run production.
- Dimensional accuracy of ±0.3% with a lower limit of ±0.3mm.
- Lead times from 3 business days
MJF
Multi Jet Fusion
- Functional prototyping. Low-run production.
- Dimensional accuracy of ±0.3% with a lower limit of ±0.3mm.
- Lead times from 3 business days
SLM
Selective Laser Melting
- Metal parts rapid prototyping. Production grade.
- Dimensional accuracy of ±0.2% with a lower limit of ±0.2mm.
- Lead times from 4 business days
FDM
Fused Deposition Modeling
- Plastic parts rapid prototyping. Low cost.
- Dimensional accuracy of ±0.2% with a lower limit of ±0.2mm.
- Lead times from 4 business days
DLP
Digital Light Processing
- Resin parts rapid prototyping. High details.
- Dimensional accuracy of ±0.2% with a lower limit of ±0.2mm.
- Lead times from 4 business days