SLS 3D Printing service
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an advanced Additive Manufacturing technology
It uses a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure based on a digital model. The process involves spreading a thin layer of powder onto a build platform, where the laser selectively sinters (or melts) the material according to the CAD design. This is repeated layer by layer until the final part is created. SLS is known for producing highly durable, detailed, and complex components without the need for support structures, making it ideal for functional prototypes, end-use parts, and low-volume production.
PA12 GF is a polyamide 12-based engineering polymer reinforced with glass fibres. This formulation provides greater stiffness, mechanical strength and dimensional stability than standard PA12, making it suitable for applications requiring enhanced strength and rigidity. With SLS technology, PA12 GF can be used to produce complex components with precise details and uniform surfaces, making it well suited to industrial applications requiring high performance and wear resistance.
PA12 GF40 for SLS is a polyamide composite reinforced with 40% glass fibre. It provides an optimal combination of mechanical strength, stiffness and thermal resistance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its properties include high tensile and flexural strength, good dimensional stability and greater thermal resistance than standard PA12. Typical applications include structural parts, mechanical components and parts subjected to high mechanical loads.
PA12 Aluminium Filled is an aluminium-filled nylon 12 that produces parts with high stiffness and a metallic appearance. Its excellent surface finish makes it suitable for machining and polishing, including for press-fit assemblies and other functional applications. Its mechanical properties ensure consistent performance over time, while its high rigidity makes it suitable for rigid functional assemblies. It is particularly well suited to housings, automotive components and wind-tunnel testing applications requiring a combination of strength, low weight and metallic aesthetics.
PA12 CF is a polyamide-based engineering polymer reinforced with carbon fibre, offering excellent mechanical strength and dimensional stability. Used in sectors such as motorsport, automotive and medical, it enables the production of strong, lightweight components. It also provides high resistance to deformation and a level of surface resistivity within the ESD-safe range, preventing the build-up of electrostatic charge and making it particularly suitable for electronic applications.
PA6 GF40 is a composite material based on polyamide 6 reinforced with 40% glass fibre. Particularly suitable for 3D printing, it provides an optimal combination of mechanical strength, stiffness and dimensional stability. Its properties include high tensile strength, good impact resistance and greater rigidity than standard PA6. It is ideal for applications requiring strong, durable parts, including structural components, gears and housings.
PA Composite is a fibre-reinforced polyamide material offering an effective combination of stiffness, mechanical strength and high-temperature resistance. Characterised by high specific stiffness and greater thermal resistance than the unfilled polymer, it exhibits anisotropic mechanical properties similar to those of fibre-filled injection-moulded materials. It is non-conductive and transparent to radio frequencies, while also providing a surface that is easy to finish. Typical applications include structural components for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), housings and enclosures, impellers, connectors and sporting goods.
PA12 Flame Retardant is an advanced polyamide 12-based compound formulated with a halogen-free flame retardant, providing reliability and safety across a range of industrial environments. Suitable for SLS 3D printing, it is certified to JAR 25 requirements for aviation and UL94 V-0 for electronic applications. It combines flexibility, strength and good surface finish, making it suitable for aerospace, automotive, electronics and medical applications. Its thermal resistance and self-extinguishing properties also make it suitable for industrial environments exposed to elevated temperatures or fire risk.
Polypropylene (PP) is a thermoplastic polymer offering excellent flexibility, elongation, impact absorption and low moisture absorption, together with good acid resistance and a density lower than that of water. Thanks to its mechanical properties, it is suitable for cost-effective prototypes, components in contact with liquids and demanding chemical applications. It is widely used in the automotive, electrical, healthcare and chemical industries for the production of pipes, tanks, prototypes and chemically resistant containers.
PA12 is a thermoplastic polyamide widely used in SLS technology. It provides a balanced combination of mechanical strength, flexibility and thermal resistance, making it suitable for a broad range of industrial applications, including rapid prototyping, functional component production and concept modelling.
PA11 is a bio-based polyamide with excellent chemical resistance, flexibility and toughness. Suitable for both functional prototyping and series production, it provides high impact resistance and good dimensional stability even in demanding environments. It delivers consistent long-term performance, high surface quality and well-defined details. It is used across automotive, medical, industrial and sporting applications thanks to its combination of mechanical strength, low weight and bio-based origin.
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a flexible thermoplastic elastomer with rubber-like behaviour, widely used in industry for its elasticity and mechanical resistance. Suitable for both prototyping and series production, it combines high elongation at break with excellent tear resistance. Its properties include good mechanical durability, chemical resistance, consistent long-term behaviour and high detail resolution. It is used across automotive, fashion, medical devices and sporting applications thanks to its versatility and ability to perform under a wide range of operating conditions.
Our engineers support you in material selection, optimising the part for metal 3D printing, and defining the required post-processes and inspections.
Aesthetic finish and part protection with custom painting on request.
| Technology | Max. size | Min. detail size | Min. wall thickness | Tolerance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMLS | 500×280×340 mm | 0.6-0.8 mm | 0.22 mm | ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm) | Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive. |
| SLS Plastic | 680×380×540 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.7-1.3 mm | ±0.3% (±0.3mm) | Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical. |
| SLA Plastic | 1350×750×500 mm | 0.2-0.5 mm | 1-3 mm | ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm) | Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry. |
| MJF Plastic | 380×284×380 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3-0.5 mm | ±0.3% (±0.2 mm) | Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods. |
| Polyjet Plastic | 490×380×200 mm | 1.2-2 mm | 1 mm | ±0.1% | Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics. |
| FDM Plastic | 914×690×914 mm | 1.2-1.5 mm | 1.5 mm | ±0.5% (±0.5 mm) | Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products. |
| DLP Plastic | 510×280×350 mm | 0.5 mm | 1 mm | ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm | Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes. |
| Large Scale Plastic | 2500×2500×4000 mm | 3 mm | — | ±5 mm/m | Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity. |
| DED | 1200×800×600 mm | — | — | — | Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing. |
| Binder Jet | 430×310×150 mm | — | — | ±3% | Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery. |
Technology
Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive.
Technology
Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical.
Technology
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry.
Technology
Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods.
Technology
Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics.
Technology
Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products.
Technology
Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes.
Technology
Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity.
Technology
Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing.
Technology
Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery.
SLS and MJF are both powder-bed 3D printing technologies for polymers and do not require support structures, as the part is supported by unfused powder. The main difference lies in the process: SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) uses a laser to consolidate the material, while MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) uses fusing agents combined with heat. The choice between SLS and MJF depends on material, geometry, quantity, finish, mechanical properties, and overall cost. MadeInAdd selects the technology according to the component requirements and the expected industrial outcome.
SLS mainly uses thermoplastic powders and can produce strong, complex components without support structures. The MadeInAdd portfolio includes PA, PA CF, PA GF, PA-AF, and TPU, offering different levels of stiffness, strength, weight, flexibility, and thermal performance. SLS can be used for both technical components and end-use parts in small production runs. Material selection depends on factors such as loads, operating temperature, impact resistance, dimensional stability, and required post-processing.
In MadeInAdd configurations, SLS 3D printing offers an indicative minimum feature size of around 0.8 mm, with wall thicknesses of approximately 0.7–1.3 mm. The reference tolerance is ±0.3%, with an indicative minimum of ±0.3 mm, while the maximum build volume is 680 × 380 × 540 mm. Actual accuracy depends on the component’s dimensions, orientation, geometry, and mass distribution. For functional dimensions or critical fits, tolerances should therefore be assessed case by case, together with any subsequent machining or finishing requirements.
Upload your 3D file, 2D drawing or photo and get your quote.
Instant quoteAll uploads are protected and confidential.
