Technical description
Material Properties
Machine Specification
Examples
SLS-Selective Laser sintering
SLS is the technology you should use if function and durability play an important role.
SLS is great for both prototypes and serial production. It uses a material called polyamide, which provides the components with a life that is comparable to injection-moulded components. SLS components are normally sent within 2-5 working days
SLS is the additive method that generates the most durable plastic components. It is good to use our SLS machine to produce components for prototypes or for serial productions that have tough mechanical requirements. Our machine ensures the quick, repetitive and high-quality production of durable components.
In the past one of the downsides of SLS technology was that the surface of the components was slightly rougher. However, new technological innovations have considerably improved the accuracy and surface finish when using this method.
addema currently offers one kind of material, Duraform® ProX™Plastic. This material enables the machine to produce components that have better material properties. You can find more information about this in the material specifications below.
Come and try SLS 2.0!
Technical description
3D printer technology makes it easy to convert a data model into a physical object. Unlike traditional CNC milling and other processes that remove material, the 3D printer builds up the component by adding material.
The additive manufacturing process starts with a CAD file, for example IGS and STEP. The CAD file is converted into STL. The computer model is then cut into layers of 0.08-0.15 mm using special software. These layers are transferred to the machine, which prints one layer at a time. When a layer is complete, material is added and the next layer is printed. This is repeated until the model is completed.
SLS components are built up using a fine-grained nylon powder. The powder is heated to just below its melting point. A laser beam is generated in the machine that melts (sinters) the material together when it hits the surface of the powder. One of the benefits of SLS technology is that you do not need any support structures around the component as the powder is stable enough to support the component by itself.
After the component has gone through the machine, both the machine and the volume that has been built up, the ‘cake’, have to cool. The cake is a mixture of sintered components and loose powder that has not been sintered by the laser beam. The cake is lifted out of the machine and the controlled cooling continues at a material handling station. The cooling process takes anything between 2 and 40 hours. After cooling, the sintered components are taken out, cleaned and blasted, and the measurements are checked before the components are delivered.
Click here to see a video of how SLS works.
Material properties
Machine specification
Examples
About addema
addema is a global supplier of components that are produced using additive manufacturing.
Our focus is to offer our customers service of utmost class. Don't hesitate to contact us regarding additive manufacturing.