Laser Sintering (LS)
Powdered thermoplastic (typically nylon) is precisely fused by a high-powered laser. Parts are cleaned of excess powder and ready for use or higher level finishing. **Also known as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Laser sintering can be used to create tough, geometrically complex components for manufacturing. Following vapor smoothing, these production parts are water-tight, air-tight, heat resistant, strong, and easy to reproduce. Nylon also offers the possibility of producing living hinges and flexible end-use parts and can be easily dyed in a variety of colors.
Laser Sintering at Midwest Prototyping
OEM:
EOS, 3D Systems, and Prodways
Max Build Area:
27 in. x 15 in. x 23 in.
Lead Time:
3 – 5 Days
Material:
Flame Retardant Nylon 11, Glass Filled Nylon 12, Mineral Filled Nylon 6, Nylon 12
*Most common materials are listed in bold.
Tolerances:
+/- .005 in. for the first inch and +/- .002 in. for each additional inch
Layer Thickness:
- EOS: .005 in.
- 3D Systems: .004 in.
- Minimum Feature: .02 in.
Do you have a question about your design or materials that would fit your project? Email one of our Solutions Managers.
Laser Sintering Materials
Material
Description
Key Characteristics
More Information
FR-106
Fire Retardant Nylon 11 material that meets the FAR 25.853 60 second burn specification.
- White
- Flame Retardant
- Heat Resistant
- Rigid
Nylon 12 fortified with glass beads. This material creates parts with higher thermal stability and stiffness than regular Nylon 12.
- White
- Chemical Resistant
- Heat Resistant
- High Strength
- Impact Resistant
- Rigid
- UV Stability
Ultrasint PA6 MF
Ultrasint PA6 MF is a mineral-filled polyamide with excellent tensile strength, stiffness, thermal properties, and chemical resistance.
- Black
- High Strength
- Heat Resistant
PA 2200
Nylon 12 is a robust thermoplastic with exceptional physical properties.
- White
- Chemical Resistant
- Good for Snap Fits
- Heat Resistant
- High Strength
- Impact Resistant
- Rigid
- UV Stability
Compare Materials
Laser Sintering Finishing Levels
Level
Process
Description
1
Excess powder removed and lightly bead blasted
Standard finish. Parts have visible layer lines and sandstone texture.
2
Excess powder removed, lightly bead blasted, and sealed to lessen porosity
Sealed finish. Parts have visible layer lines, sandstone texture, and a slight gloss. Parts have a watertight finish.
2 +
Excess powder removed, lightly bead blasted, and cosmetic surfaces sanded to 180 grit
Functional finish, removes some layer lines. Parts have a light texture from sanding.
Excess powder removed, lightly bead blasted, and smoothed using PostPro3D
PostPro3D equipment is used to perform physiochemical smoothing. Smoothed parts have an air-tight, injection molded like finish.
3
Sealed, primed, or smoothed with PostPro3D and sanded to 320 grit
Near show quality finish, removes layer lines. Parts may have very fine scratches from sanding. Parts are prime and paint ready.
