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Selective laser sintering (SLS)

3D printing highly detailed parts in useful materials like metals, polymers, and ceramics is possible with machines that use selective laser sintering technology.

What is selective laser sintering (SLS)?

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a powder bed fusion technique for additive manufacturing (AM). It creates 3D objects by using a laser to heat powdered particles selectively so they fuse and become a solid structure.

During the sintering process, the material is heated just enough to start atomic diffusion between particles – causing them to bind without actually melting. An SLS machine uses a pulsed laser to sinter powdered particles with enough precision to 3D-print parts with highly complex geometries out of plastic, metal, ceramic and glass.

Because it can easily create intricate shapes directly from CAD data and is compatible with a wide range of materials, selective laser sintering is an extremely versatile technique for manufacturing prototypes and end-use parts.

Related products: NX AM Fixed Plane | NX AM Multi-Axis | NX AM Build Optimizer

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Selective laser sintering benefits

Expand printing possibilities

Using selective laser sintering, you can print parts in various materials, including metals and ceramics.

Recreate complex details

Replicating the smallest details is possible with selective laser sintering due to the small particle size and focused laser energy.

Create functional parts

Realize functional designs using selective laser sintering where the resulting material structure is akin to forged parts in metal.

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