Selective Laser Sintering
Selective Laser Sintering printing, also referred to as powder bed fusion, is considered the “workhorse” technology of 3D print providers, due to large build volumes and a range of engineering thermoplastics – making it the perfect choice for series manufacture and complex free-form shapes for end-use applications.
How does SLS work?
A thin layer of pre-heated polymer powder is layered across a build platform, which is then selectively melted by a laser(s). The build platform then lowers by the defined layer thickness, and another layer of powder is deposited across the bed.
![Ricoh SLS Process Diagram](https://rapidfab.ricoh-europe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ricoh_SLS_Diagram-1.jpg)
The process is repeated and material is fused together to create a 3D object. As SLS technologies do not require additional support material many parts can be manufactured inside the same build at once, resulting in increased cost-efficiency and minimal waste. The unused powder can be refreshed and reused, making SLS 3D a sustainable production process.
To find out more about SLS technology, contact one of our 3D printing experts here.