{"id":26948,"date":"2021-12-28T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-28T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/?p=26948"},"modified":"2024-09-06T11:06:45","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T18:06:45","slug":"what-is-selective-laser-sintering-sls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/what-is-selective-laser-sintering-sls\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Selective Laser\u00a0Sintering (SLS)?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Learn all about selective laser sintering (SLS) technology \u2014 what it is, who it’s for, and how to use it in conjunction with Autodesk Fusion.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selective laser\u00a0sintering (SLS)\u00a0is one of the oldest and most developed\u00a0additive manufacturing<\/a> technologies. If you want to rapidly produce reliable,\u00a0high-fidelity\u00a0prototypes with the\u00a0bonus\u00a0of batch scale, this tech is for you.\u00a0\u00a0
\u00a0
When you hear the term <\/meta>SLS, though, you probably still imagine \u201cfuzzy\u201d parts that leave behind residue and are only available in single colors. However, SLS technology has come a long way in recent years,\u00a0meaning you can finally leave that image behind. Post processing now enables SLS machines to create polished parts with a\u00a0high-quality\u00a0surface finish. Plus, you can pack a lot into an SLS machine’s build volume, making production at all scales easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"formlabs-selective-laser-sintering-sls\"
Image courtesy of Formlabs<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

What is selective laser sintering (SLS)? <\/h2>\n\n\n

SLS machines work from the same root data as most other printing processes. First, your part gets sliced into layers. The layers then build up one by one until the part is complete. Selective laser sintering technology sinters plastic together by tracing each layer slice with a laser. The laser sinters plastic powder together for each layer, then adds powder for the next layer on top, sintering with the layer below in the process. This process happens very rapidly and accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n

SLS vs. FFF 3D printing<\/h2>\n\n\n

Selective laser sintering and fused filament fabrication (FFF)<\/a> are plastics-based machines, so what’s the difference? Well, SLS parts are much higher fidelity than their FFF counterparts. Additionally, post-processing with SLS is much easier than FFF (when you have access to a tumbler). FFF requires significantly more time with sanding, priming, and painting to get a presentable prototype<\/a>, whereas SLS is much more hands-off.  
 
However, FFF machines are more affordable than selective laser sintering and don\u2019t require the same space to operate. FFF printers also don’t need special post processing equipment, unlike SLS. FFF is not better than SLS, nor is SLS better than FFF. It just depends on what tool suits your needs more.  <\/p>\n\n\n

Selective laser sintering benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n

As with any technology, selective laser sintering is not perfect. It can be more costly, requires more physical space, and parts can be brittle and weaker than other methods. SLS also has fewer material options than FFF does for printing. However, there are plenty of advantages that make it a worthwhile option to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selective laser sintering offers a more “set it and forget it” workflow than other additive manufacturing technologies. Once a print finishes, it\u2019s just a matter of brushing off any excess powder (which can be reused) and then tossing it into a tumbler or dedicated post processor. The achieved fidelity is excellent for physical prototypes, visual testing, presentations, and sometimes even stress testing (depending on your manufacturing processes).  
 
One of the biggest benefits of selective laser sintering is that it does not require support materials, which enables it to pack the build volume up so well. As parts are built, the surrounding powder holds the part in place, eliminating the need for support material. As a result, you can pack your build volume to the brim knowing every part will come out fine and that you will not need to break off support structures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

fusionReady to start your SLS 3D printing<\/a> journey with Autodesk Fusion<\/a>? Good news! We’re adding selective laser sintering capabilities to Fusion soon. Once again, we’re teaming up with our friends at Formlabs to integrate Fuse 1 capabilities into the product. In the meantime, the Fusion Manufacturing Extension<\/a> unlocks advanced metal 3d printing features in Fusion. Try it for free today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Learn all about selective laser\u00a0sintering (SLS) technology \u2014 what it is, who it’s for, and how to use it in conjunction with Fusion 360.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3615,"featured_media":27136,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[73,254,143],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-26948","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industrial-design","tag-3d-printing","tag-additive-manufacturing","tag-manufacturing","dhig-theme--light"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is Selective Laser\u00a0Sintering (SLS)? - Fusion Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn all about selective laser\u00a0sintering (SLS) technology \u2014 what it is, who it's for, and how to use it in conjunction with Fusion.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/what-is-selective-laser-sintering-sls\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Selective Laser\u00a0Sintering (SLS)? 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