3D Printing in NYLON PA12

SLS: selective laser sintering.

Laser sintering, or SLS, is a process that uses a laser as an energy source to sinter powder material, automatically directing the laser to points in space defined by a 3D model and fusing the material to create a solid structure.

First, the powder material is spread in a thin layer over a platform inside the build chamber. The 3D printer preheats the powder to a temperature just below the melting point of the raw material. This makes it easier for the laser beam to raise the temperature of specific regions of the powder surface while tracing the model to solidify a part. The laser scans a cross-section of the 3D model, heating the powder just below or right at the melting point of the material. This fuses the particles together mechanically to create a solid part. The unfused powder supports the part during printing and eliminates the need for dedicated support structures.

We typically use layers between 50 and 200 microns, and this process is repeated for each layer until the parts are complete. The finished parts are allowed to cool gradually inside the printer. Once the parts have cooled, the operator removes the build chamber from the printer and transfers it to a cleaning station, separating the printed parts and cleaning off the excess powder.