Selective Laser Sintering

What is it?

The Selective Laser Sintering realizes the prototype by addition of materials layer by layer. This technology is commonly used in the rapid prototipation for 2 reasons:

  • Use powders of different nature
  • Allows you to obtain inside-void pieces with other item inside it, leaving just a hole for free the piece from the dust.

The selective laser sintering process begins with the deposit of a thin layer of powder, which melts with the heat on a platform controlled by z-axis. The CAD data is divided into two-dimensional sections with default thick. These data guide the laser beam, which draws the section surface of the preheated powder, applying a temperature slightly below the melting point.The energy applied melts the powder, solidifying the section in question. The laser beam melts only the affected area. An additional layer of powder is deposited, by roller, over the previous layer. The process is repeated until the part is completed. Homogeneous parts of unlimited complexity are created. The dust in the work area is a natural support for the part, which doesn’t need additional supports. The parts made are extracted from the working chamber and the excess powder is removed. They can then be treated with paint.

Machines Dimension

Skorpion has:

  • 4 machines EOS P700 680x360x550 mm
  • 2 machines DTM 2500 360x310x400 mm
  • 1 machines EOS P380 360x360x600 mm

Applications

The SLS technology can be used to make:

  • Functional Models
  • Highly complex Forms
  • Resistance to high temperatures
  • Strong, rigid models
  • Food applications
  • Functional Integrated Products
  • Small series in few days

Materials

  • PA: Nylon. Very functional film zips, latches...
  • PA-GF: glass-filled nylon: Tough, hard, good temperature resistance (110 ° C).
  • Alumide: Durable Nylon with aluminum, rigid, high temperature resistance (130 °C), less risk of distortion, thicker walls, more fragile than the PA-G.
  • Carbon Fiber: Nylon & 50 carbon resistant, high temperature resistance (175 ° C), high flexural strength (strong, rigid and not brittle), suitable for wind tunnel testing.
  • Formiga: Nylon 100% pure
  • Duraform Flex: Simil gomma 65 shore A Duraturo!