Selective Laser Sintering or SLS is a familiar additive manufacturing process to the UK’s manufacturing industry. Indeed, Nylon PA 12 prints produced through SLS were some of the first to find real-world applications, taking 3D printing out of the prototyping and into the production arena. SLS provides amazing design flexibility, high strength and functional end-use parts. 

In an increasingly competitive additive manufacturing world, where SLS vies for position with similar, occasionally faster, proprietary branded processes such as MJF (multi-jet fusion), it seems pertinent to fly the flag for this versatile and dependable process. The most common materials are tried and tested in real-world settings, it remains one of the most cost-efficient additive manufacturing methods, and also one of the faster processes. 

How, then, can improvements be made? The obvious answer is to reduce finishing times and ensuring parts come out of the powder right the first time. Here are some factors to consider.

This blog is originally published here: https://quickparts.com/gb/optimising-sls-builds-for-cost-efficiency-and-a-perfect-finish/