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.
Are you ready to get your ideas made?
Our RFQ Team is standing by to give you a quote, and parts can be done in days, or contact one of our Solutions Managers for answers to a question!
