SLS

The SLS process employs a high power laser to fuse plastic powders layer by
layer into finished prototypes and functional end-use components.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is the rapid prototyping technology of choice for a
range of functional prototype applications, including those with snap fits, living hinges
and other mechanical joints. The ability of SLS to produce several pieces at one time
also makes the process a good choice for Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) of
products requiring strength and heat resistance.

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) uses high power CO2 lasers (carbon dioxide laser) to
fuse plastic, metal or ceramic powder particles together, layer-by-layer, to form a solid
model. The system consists of a laser, part chamber, and control system.
The part chamber consists of a build platform, powder cartridge, and leveling roller. A
thin layer of build material is spread across the platform where the laser traces a twodimensional cross section of the part, sintering the material together. The platform then
descends a single layer thickness and the leveling roller pushes material from the
powder cartridge across the build platform, where the next cross section is sintered to
the previous. This process is repeated one slice at a time until the part build height is
completed.
Once the model is complete, it is removed from the part chamber and finished by
removing any loose material and smoothing the visible surfaces. Part support is
accomplished by the un-sintered powder that surrounds the parts during processing.
Aluminum-Filled (PA12-AL)
Impact-Resistant Nylon (Duraform EX)
Nylon (Duraform PA)
Glass-Filled Nylon (Duraform GF)
Flame Retardant Nylon (Duraform FR100)
Carbon Fiber Filled Nylon (Windform XT)

Rubber-Like (Duraform Flex Plastic)

Benefit

Durable, functional parts with high complex geometries

Ideal for parts with high heat requirements or chemical resistance
Capable of producing parts with mechanical joints, snap fits or living hinges
Wide variety of materials and post processing options
Short lead times

Application
Rapid Manufacturing
Aerospace Hardware
UAS, UAV, UUV, UGV Hardware
Medical and Healthcare
Electronics; Packaging, Connectors
Homeland Security
Military Hardware
Rapid Prototypes Functional Proof of Concept Prototypes
Design Evaluation Models (Form, Fit & Function)
Product Performance & Testing
Engineering Design Verification
Wind-Tunnel Test Models
Tooling and Patterns Rapid Tooling (concept development & bridge tools)
Injection Mold Inserts
Tooling and Manufacturing Estimating Visual Aid
Investment Casting Patterns
Jigs and Fixtures
Foundry Patterns - Sand Casting

Stereolithography (SLA)
Stereolithography (SLA) models offer the most accurate type of fit/form prototype for the
verification of any design before committing to your chosen production route. Its high
accuracy and good surface finish makes it the preferred choice for designer models,
engineering verification and master patterns for silicone rubber molds.

SLA is often considered the pioneer of the additive manufacturing processes, with the
first production systems introduced in 1988 and patented by 3D systems founder
Charles (Chuck) W. Hull. The SLA process utilizes a vat of liquid photopolymer resin
cured by ultraviolet laser to solidify the pattern layer by layer to create or print a solid
3D mode

The SLA process utilizes a vat of liquid photopolymer resin cured by ultraviolet
laser to solidify the pattern layer by layer to create or print a solid 3D model.
An Ultra Violet (UV) laser beam is directed by a computer guided mirror onto the
surface of the UV photopolymer resin. The model is built one layer at a time from
supplied 3D CAD data.
The laser beam traces the boundaries and fills in a two-dimensional cross section of the
model, solidifying the resin wherever it touches. Each successive layer is applied by
submersion of the build platform into the resin as the part gradually develops and the
platform descends into the liquid resin.
Once the model is complete, the platform rises out of the vat and the excess resin is
drained. The model is then removed from the platform, washed of excess resin, and
then placed in a UV oven for a final curing. After curing SLA parts are then ready for
post processing as required by the specific application.
Rigid, PC-Like
Semi-flexible
PP-Like (Accura 25 / VisiJet SL Flex)
High-Temp ABS-Like
Technician's Choice
High-Impact ABS-Like
High Temp PC-Like, Rigid
Durable
High Resolution
ABS-like, Gray
ABS-like, Black
ABS-Like

Frequently, parts produced by SLA are used as master patterns (pattern transfer
process). The pattern is transferred to urethane castings using silicone rubber molds
(SRM) or utilized for metal investment casting.
Application
Rapid Prototypes:
Design Appearance Models
Proof of Concept Prototypes
Design Evaluation Models (Form & Fit)
Engineering Proving Models (Design Verification)
Wind-Tunnel Test Models
Tooling and Patterns:
Investment Casting Patterns
Jigs and Fixtures
Benefits

Smooth surface finish

High precision
Short lead times
Wide variety of material and post processing options

http://www.3dsystems.com/quickparts/prototyping-pre-production/stereolithographysla/materials

Direct Metal Printing (DMP)

Quickparts now proudly offers Direct Metal Printing (DMP) services for producing custom metal
parts directly from your CAD data. This exciting process allows you to produce metal parts with
challenging geometries that cannot be made using traditional subtractive or casting
technologies. Parts can be made in a variety of metals that are fully dense and fully usable. Print
anything from prototypes to larger production series of up to 20,000 units.
DMP is an ideal technology for aerospace and defense applications. It allows for the production
of small and extremely complex shapes with no need for tooling, and it permits dramatically
different part design than conventional processes like machining, stamplng or die casting will
allow.

Anatomy of the Direct Metal Printing (DMP)

Process
Direct Metal Printing uses additive manufacturing technology. In the machine, a high-precision
laser is directed to metal powder particles in order to selectively build up thin subsequent
horizontal metal layers. The metal powder particles pinpointed by the laser quickly and fully
melt so that the new material properly attaches to the previous layer, without glue or binder
liquid.
The DMP process utilizes metal powder particles melted by a high-precision laser in order
to selectively build up thin subsequent metal layers.
The powerful fiber laser with high energy intensity inside the machine guarantees that metal
parts exhibit a dense and homogenous material structure. CAD directly drives the machine
without requiring any programming, clamping or tooling. The 3D printing approach is capable of
simultaneously producing metal parts of different shapes in series of up to 20,000 pieces,
ensuring that the laser gains systematic access to any location while building up parts. In this
way, the most complex part shapes can be produced, including recesses, ribs, cavities and
internal features.
Having full control over the production process, Quickparts achieves a homogeneous micro
structure with a relative density of up to 99.98%, for an increasing number of metals and alloys.
Research shows that the mechanical properties are virtually the same as those of conventional
metals. To prove this, Quickparts systematically carries out mechanical tests on the level of
density, hardness, elongation and fatigue. Prior to production, the chemical composition of the
bulk metal powders are examined in a chemical laboratory.

Titanium
Stainless Steel

Machine construction
Tool and die making
Food and pharmaceutics
Chemistry and petrochemistry
Aerospace engines
Automotive parts
Veterinary and medical devices
Heat Exchangers
Air/Oil/Fuel mixing devices
Customized sporting goods
Weight-reduction parts utilizing complex material removal
Industrial burner parts
Radiation collimators
Semicon and wafer handling equipment
Customized production line equipment

Benefit

No tooling required
Print directly from CAD file
Print incredibly complex detail
Add complexity with little or no impact
Highly dense material makes parts fully usable
Wide variety of metals and alloys
Short lead times
Try multiple iterations on one print cycle
Fully machinable finished parts
Food grade and sterilizable metals
High precision