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Servicio de impresión 3D por sinterizado láser selectivo (SLS)
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¿Qué es el sinterizado selectivo por láser (SLS)?
El sinterizado selectivo por láser (SLS) es una tecnología avanzada de fabricación aditiva (AM) que pertenece al fusión en lecho de polvo (PBF) familia. Utiliza un láser de alta potencia para fusionar selectivamente, o sinterizar, pequeñas partículas de polvo de polímero en un objeto sólido tridimensional, capa por capa.
1. Una definición técnica:
En esencia, el SLS fabrica piezas a partir de un modelo digital en 3D (por ejemplo, un archivo CAD). El proceso tiene lugar dentro de una cámara que contiene un lecho de polvo termoplástico, que se calienta a una temperatura justo por debajo del punto de fusión del material. A continuación, un láser de CO₂ de precisión escanea la sección transversal del modelo 3D sobre la superficie del lecho de polvo, elevando la temperatura de las partículas específicas hasta su punto de fusión y haciendo que se fusionen. Una vez completada una capa, la plataforma de construcción desciende, se aplica una nueva capa de polvo y el proceso se repite hasta que se forma todo el objeto.
2. El principio básico (sinterizar, no sólo fundir):
El término "sinterización" es clave. A diferencia de los procesos que funden completamente el material (como la fusión selectiva por láser para metales), la sinterización es un proceso térmico en el que las partículas se unen y fusionan a nivel molecular sin licuarse por completo. Esto crea piezas que no sólo son fuertes, sino que también poseen una microestructura ligeramente porosa. El polvo sin sinterizar que rodea la cámara de fabricación actúa como una estructura de soporte natural integrada para la pieza que se está imprimiendo. Esta naturaleza autoportante es una de las ventajas más significativas de la tecnología SLS.
3. Resumen de las principales características:
Para entender rápidamente lo que hace único al SLS, considere estas características definitorias:
- Familia tecnológica: Fusión del lecho de polvo (PBF)
- Materiales primarios: Polímeros termoplásticos, principalmente nylon (PA 11, PA 12).
- Estructuras de apoyo: No es necesario; el polvo no utilizado soporta la pieza.
- Propiedades de las piezas: Excelente resistencia mecánica, durabilidad y resistencia a la temperatura. Adecuado para aplicaciones funcionales.
- Acabado superficial: Mate, con una textura ligeramente granulosa o arenosa.
- Casos de uso principales: Prototipos funcionales, piezas de uso final complejas, fabricación de volumen bajo a medio y componentes con geometrías intrincadas, como bisagras vivas y encajes a presión.
¿Cómo funciona la impresión 3D SLS?
Para entender el proceso de SLS es necesario observar tanto el flujo de trabajo digital como las intrincadas operaciones mecánicas que tienen lugar dentro de la impresora.
1. El flujo de trabajo de digital a físico:
El viaje desde un concepto hasta una pieza física sigue una ruta de fabricación digital estándar:
① Creación de modelos 3D: Todo comienza con un archivo CAD (diseño asistido por ordenador) en 3D. A continuación, este modelo se exporta en un formato imprimible en 3D, normalmente STL (Standard Tessellation Language) o 3MF (3D Manufacturing Format).
② Rebanado y preparación de la construcción: El modelo 3D se importa en un software especializado. Este software "corta" digitalmente el modelo en cientos o miles de capas finas y horizontales. También permite al operario orientar y "anidar" varias piezas dentro del volumen de fabricación para maximizar la eficiencia.
③ Funcionamiento de la máquina: El archivo preparado se envía a la máquina SLS, que ejecuta el proceso de impresión automatizado.
④ Post-procesamiento: Una vez finalizadas la impresión y el enfriamiento, las piezas se retiran de la máquina y se someten a los pasos de limpieza y acabado necesarios.
2. The Mechanical Process: A Layer-by-Layer Breakdown:
The magic happens inside the SLS printer’s build chamber. The process can be broken down into five key mechanical steps that are repeated for each layer.
Step 1: Bed Preparation and Heating: Before the printing begins, the entire build chamber, including the powder bed and the surrounding area, is heated to a precise temperature just below the polymer’s sintering point. This pre-heating is critical; it minimizes thermal distortion (warping) by reducing the temperature gradient between the sintered and unsintered areas. This ensures dimensional stability and part accuracy.
Step 2: Powder Deposition: A recoating mechanism, which can be a blade or a roller, moves across the build platform, depositing a thin, uniform layer of powder (typically 100-150 microns thick) from a powder reservoir. Ensuring this layer is perfectly flat and consistent is essential for the quality of the final part.
Step 3: Laser Sintering: This is the core of the SLS process. A powerful CO₂ laser, guided by a set of dynamic mirrors (galvanometers), is directed onto the powder bed. The laser traces the cross-sectional geometry of the current layer, as defined by the sliced file. The laser’s energy rapidly heats the powder particles to their melting point, causing them to fuse together into a solid layer. The areas not touched by the laser remain as loose powder.
Step 4: Platform Lowering: Once the layer is fully sintered, the build platform, on which the part rests, lowers by a distance equal to the thickness of a single layer. This makes room for the next layer of powder.
Step 5: Repetition and Build Completion: The recoater blade applies a fresh layer of powder over the previously sintered layer (Step 2), and the laser sinters the next cross-section (Step 3). This cycle of powder deposition, sintering, and platform lowering is repeated until every layer of the part has been built. The finished parts are now encased in a solid block of unsintered powder, often referred to as the “cake.”
3. The Cooling Phase: A Critical, Unseen Step:
This is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked phases of the SLS process. After the last layer is sintered, the entire powder cake—containing the finished parts—must be left to cool down slowly and uniformly inside the printer or in a separate cooling station. This controlled cooling process can take many hours (sometimes up to 40-50% of the total process time). Rushing this step will cause uneven shrinkage and significant warping, ruining the parts.
¿Qué materiales se utilizan en la impresión SLS?
The versatility of SLS is largely due to the range of robust thermoplastic materials it can process. While nylons are the most prevalent, other specialized polymers are also available.
1. Poliamidas (Nylons):
Nylons are the most widely used materials in SLS due to their excellent balance of strength, flexibility, and thermal/chemical resistance.
① PA 12 (Nylon 12):
PA 12 is the gold standard and the most popular material for SLS.
- Propiedades: High strength, stiffness, and excellent resistance to chemicals, fats, oils, and alkalis. It exhibits good long-term stability and resistance to stress cracking.
- Aplicaciones: Ideal for functional prototypes, end-use parts with snap-fits, complex assemblies, and durable housings.
② PA 11 (Nylon 11):
PA 11 is a bio-derived polymer (made from castor oil) and is known for its superior elasticity and impact resistance compared to PA 12.
- Propiedades: Excellent ductility, high impact strength, and better thermal resistance. It’s more flexible than PA 12, making it suitable for parts that need to bend or withstand repeated impacts.
- Aplicaciones: Living hinges, prosthetics, sports equipment, drone components, and other applications requiring high toughness.
③ Filled Polyamides (Composite Materials):
To enhance specific properties, base nylons can be blended with fillers.
- Glass-Filled Nylon (PA-GF): Nylon powder is mixed with glass beads. This composite offers significantly higher stiffness and thermal resistance than standard nylon, but at the cost of being more brittle. It’s used for parts that operate under high temperatures or loads, such as automotive components, tooling, and housings.
- Carbon-Filled Nylon (PA-CF / Carbonmide): Infused with carbon fibers, this material is extremely stiff, strong, and lightweight. It also has electrostatic dissipative (ESD) properties. Applications include high-performance jigs, fixtures, motorsport components, and robotic end-effectors.
- Aluminum-Filled Nylon (Alumide): A blend of PA 12 and fine aluminum particles. It results in parts with a metallic appearance and increased stiffness and thermal conductivity. It is often used for visual prototypes that need a metallic look, as well as for custom tooling and fixtures.
2. Poliuretano termoplástico (TPU):
TPU is a flexible, rubber-like elastomer. It allows SLS to produce tough, durable parts that can bend and stretch.
- Propiedades: High abrasion resistance, tear strength, and elasticity. Shore hardness can vary depending on the specific grade.
- Aplicaciones: Gaskets, seals, flexible hoses, footwear components, protective casings, and vibration-dampening elements.
3. Polypropylene (PP):
Polypropylene is a lightweight and highly chemically resistant polymer.
- Propiedades: Excellent chemical resistance (especially to acids and bases), low moisture absorption, good fatigue resistance, and weldability. It is also biocompatible and can be sterilized.
- Aplicaciones: Fluid systems, automotive components, medical devices, and containers requiring chemical resistance.
4 High-Performance Polymers (PEEK & PEKK):
These materials are at the cutting edge of SLS technology and require high-temperature machines.
- Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) & Polyether Ketone Ketone (PEKK): Members of the PAEK family, these are high-performance polymers with exceptional mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and resistance to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. They are often used as a lightweight alternative to metal.
- Aplicaciones: Aerospace components, medical implants, and high-temperature industrial parts.
¿Cuáles son los pasos del proceso de impresión SLS?
This section outlines the end-to-end operational workflow, providing a practical view from the perspective of an operator or service provider.
Step 1: Digital Model Preparation:
The process begins with a finalized 3D CAD model. This model must be “watertight” (a closed, manifold solid) and free of geometric errors. It is then exported as an STL or 3MF file.
Step 2: Build Setup and Nesting:
The file is loaded into the printer’s build preparation software. Here, two critical actions are performed:
- Orientación: The part is oriented to optimize for strength, surface finish, and accuracy. For example, orienting a flat surface parallel to the build plate will avoid “stair-stepping.”
- Nesting: Because SLS requires no support structures, multiple parts can be densely packed together in three dimensions within the build volume. This “nesting” dramatically increases throughput and reduces the cost per part, making SLS highly efficient for batch production.
Step 3: Machine Setup and Powder Loading:
The operator prepares the SLS machine. This involves cleaning the build chamber from the previous run and loading it with polymer powder. A key concept here is the refresh rate—a mixture of fresh (virgin) powder and recycled powder from the previous print job. A typical refresh rate is 50%, meaning the build is made from 50% virgin and 50% recycled powder. This is crucial for both cost-effectiveness and maintaining material properties.
Step 4: The Automated Printing and Cooling Cycle:
Once the build is started, the process is fully automated. The machine heats up, deposits and sinters powder layer by layer, and finally initiates the long, controlled cooling cycle. This entire phase can take anywhere from 12 hours to over two days, depending on the size and density of the build.
Step 5: Breakout and Depowdering:
After the cooling cycle is complete, the build chamber is opened, and the solid block of powder (the “cake”) is moved to a breakout station. The operator carefully excavates the finished parts from the loose, unsintered powder. This can be a messy, manual process. The surrounding powder is collected for recycling.
Step 6: Media Blasting:
The newly freed parts are still covered in a layer of residual powder. They are placed in a bead blasting or sandblasting cabinet, where a high-pressure stream of fine media (like glass beads or plastic pellets) is used to clean off any remaining powder and create a smooth, uniform, matte surface finish.
Step 7: Advanced Post-Processing (Optional):
Depending on the application, parts may undergo additional finishing steps such as dyeing, vapor smoothing, painting, or coating to improve aesthetics, surface quality, or specific functional properties.
¿Cuáles son los parámetros clave que afectan a la calidad del SLS?
The quality of an SLS part is not accidental; it is the result of carefully controlling a wide range of process parameters.
1. Material-Related Parameters:
- Particle Size and Distribution: The size and shape of the powder particles affect powder flowability and packing density, which in turn influences the final part’s density and surface finish.
- Powder Refresh Rate: The ratio of virgin to recycled powder. Using too much recycled powder can lead to degraded mechanical properties and poor surface quality, as the powder experiences thermal degradation with each print cycle.
2. Process-Related Parameters (In-Printer):
① Thermal Parameters:
- Bed Temperature: The temperature of the powder bed, kept just below the sintering point. If it’s too low, it can cause warping (“curl”). If it’s too high, it can lead to unwanted sintering of the surrounding powder (“growth”).
- Chamber Temperature: The ambient temperature within the build envelope. A stable and uniform temperature is essential for part consistency.
② Laser Parameters:
- Energy Density: This is the most critical parameter, defined as the amount of laser energy delivered per unit area. It is a function of Laser Power, Scan Speed, and Scan Spacing.
- Laser Power (Watts): Higher power allows for faster sintering but must be balanced to avoid overheating or burning the material.
- Scan Speed (mm/s): The speed at which the laser beam moves across the powder.
- Scan Spacing (Hatch Distance): The distance between adjacent laser scan lines. Tighter spacing results in a denser part but a longer build time.
- An optimal energy density ensures complete fusion between particles and layers without degrading the polymer.
③ Layer Parameters:
- Layer Thickness: The height of each individual layer, typically around 0.1 mm (100 microns). Thinner layers produce a better surface finish and finer detail, especially on curved or angled surfaces, but significantly increase print time.
3. Build Layout Parameters:
- Part Orientation: How a part is positioned in the build chamber. This affects surface quality (stair-stepping effect on angled surfaces), mechanical properties (parts are strongest along the X-Y plane), and the risk of warpage.
- Part Nesting Density: While nesting increases efficiency, packing parts too closely can create localized heat spots, potentially affecting the accuracy of nearby components.
¿Cuáles son las ventajas de la impresión 3D SLS?
SLS is a preferred technology for many applications due to a unique combination of benefits.
1. Design Freedom: No Need for Support Structures:
This is arguably the most significant advantage of SLS. The unsintered powder in the build volume provides complete support to the part during printing. This allows for the creation of extremely complex geometries, including internal channels, undercuts, and intricate lattice structures, that are impossible or very difficult to produce with other methods. It also eliminates the post-processing step of support removal, saving time and labor.
2. Excellent Mechanical Properties:
SLS parts, particularly those made from nylon, are known for their high strength, stiffness, and durability. They behave similarly to injection-molded parts, making them suitable for rigorous functional testing and as end-use production parts. They can withstand impacts, heat, and chemical exposure.
3. High Productivity and Scalability:
The ability to nest dozens or even hundreds of parts within a single build makes SLS highly efficient for low-to-mid volume production runs. This maximizes the use of the machine's build volume and significantly lowers the cost per part compared to printing parts one at a time.
4. Complex Geometries and Intricate Details:
Because there are no supports to constrain design, engineers can create parts optimized for performance rather than for manufacturability. This includes features like living hinges, snap-fit joints, and consolidated assemblies where multiple components are printed as a single, complex part.
5. Good Material Variety:
SLS offers a range of engineering-grade thermoplastics, from flexible TPUs to stiff, carbon-filled nylons and high-performance PEEK. This allows the technology to serve a wide array of applications across different industries.
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¿Cuáles son las limitaciones del SLS en comparación con otros métodos de impresión 3D?
Despite its many strengths, SLS is not the perfect solution for every application. It has several limitations to consider.
1. Surface Finish and Porosity:
SLS parts naturally have a matte, grainy surface finish due to the nature of fusing powder particles. The surface is also slightly porous. While this is acceptable for many functional parts, applications requiring a perfectly smooth, cosmetic surface will need extensive post-processing (like vapor smoothing). Technologies like SLA or Material Jetting offer a much smoother out-of-the-box finish.
2. Higher Initial Cost:
SLS machines represent a significant capital investment, often costing well over $100,000 for industrial-grade systems. The material costs are also higher than for FDM filaments or SLA resins. This makes the barrier to entry higher for smaller businesses.
3. Longer Lead Times:
The total process time for SLS can be long. This is not just due to the printing time itself, but primarily due to the mandatory, extended cooling period, which can take up to 12-24 hours. This makes SLS less suitable for rapid, one-off prototypes compared to FDM or SLA.
4. Material Handling and Recycling Complexity:
Working with fine polymer powders requires a controlled environment and personal protective equipment. Furthermore, managing the powder lifecycle—tracking usage, calculating refresh rates, and sieving recycled powder—adds operational complexity.
5. Opciones de color limitadas:
SLS parts are typically printed in a single color, usually white, gray, or black, depending on the material. Achieving color requires a secondary post-processing step like dyeing, which adds time and cost. Technologies like Material Jetting or Binder Jetting offer full-color printing capabilities.
¿Cuáles son las aplicaciones más comunes del SLS?
The unique properties of SLS parts have led to their adoption across a wide range of industries for demanding applications.
1. Creación de prototipos:
① Functional Prototypes:
This is the quintessential application for SLS. Companies use SLS to create high-fidelity prototypes that can be subjected to real-world testing. Because the mechanical properties are so close to final production parts, engineers can reliably test for form, fit, and function.
- Examples: Enclosures for electronics, snap-fit assemblies, ergonomic studies, and airflow testing in ducts.
② Living Hinges and Snap-Fits:
The durability and flexibility of materials like PA 11 and PA 12 make them perfect for prototyping designs that include living hinges or repeated-use snap-fit closures.
2. End-Use Parts & Low-Volume Manufacturing:
SLS has matured beyond prototyping and is now a viable manufacturing method. Examples:
- Aerospace & Automotive: Air ducts, brackets, custom interior components, and UAV (drone) bodies. The lightweight and strong properties are ideal.
- Medical Devices: Custom prosthetics, orthotics, surgical guides, and housings for medical equipment. Many SLS materials are biocompatible.
- Robotics & Automation: Custom grippers (end-of-arm tooling), jigs, fixtures, and enclosures for robotic systems.
- Tooling: Creating custom jigs and fixtures for manufacturing lines to improve efficiency and accuracy.
3. Bienes de consumo:
- Ejemplos: High-end custom eyewear frames, protective cases for electronics, components for sporting goods, and personalized products.
¿Cuáles son los pasos de posprocesamiento de las piezas impresas por SLS?
Post-processing is a mandatory stage in the SLS workflow to turn a raw print into a usable part.
1. Primary Post-Processing (Standard):
These steps are performed on nearly all SLS parts.
- Part Breakout and Depowdering: The first step after cooling is manually excavating the parts from the cake of unsintered powder. Compressed air is often used to blow off the bulk of the loose powder.
- Media Blasting: Parts are then placed in a blasting cabinet. A stream of media (e.g., glass beads, plastic beads, or aluminum oxide) is fired at the parts to remove any remaining fused powder and create a uniform, clean, matte surface finish.
2. Secondary & Aesthetic Post-Processing (Optional):
These steps are used to enhance the appearance or function of the parts.
- Dyeing: The most common method for adding color. The porous nature of SLS parts allows them to absorb dye very well. Parts are submerged in a hot dye bath, resulting in a rich, deep color that penetrates the surface.
- Chemical Vapor Smoothing: A process where parts are exposed to a vaporized solvent that slightly melts and reflows the outer surface. This seals the part’s porosity, making it watertight and air-tight, and creates a smooth, semi-glossy finish comparable to injection molding.
- Tumbling / Vibratory Finishing: For batches of smaller parts, they can be placed in a tumbler with ceramic or plastic media. The vibratory action smooths the surface and rounds sharp edges.
- Painting and Coating: For specific colors or protective finishes, SLS parts can be primed and painted. Coatings like Cerakote can be applied for enhanced durability and chemical resistance.
¿Cómo mejorar el acabado superficial y la precisión dimensional en SLS?
Achieving the highest quality from SLS requires a combination of pre-process optimization, correct machine operation, and post-processing.
1. Optimizing for Surface Finish:
① Pre-Process Optimization:
- Part Orientation: Avoid the “stair-stepping” effect by orienting curved or angled surfaces away from a direct 45-degree angle to the build plate. Orienting critical surfaces to face upwards or downwards often yields the best results.
- Smaller Layer Thickness: Using a thinner layer (e.g., 0.08 mm instead of 0.12 mm) will reduce the visibility of layer lines but will increase print time.
② Post-Process Solutions:
- Media Blasting: The standard method for a uniform matte finish.
- Vapor Smoothing: The most effective method for achieving a smooth, injection-mold-like surface. It is the best choice for applications requiring sealed, easy-to-clean surfaces.
2. Enhancing Dimensional Accuracy:
① Machine Calibration: Regularly calibrating key machine parameters is essential. This includes tuning the laser’s X-Y scaling factors to compensate for any systemic inaccuracies and adjusting the laser beam offset.
② Accounting for Shrinkage and Warpage:
- Thermal Management: Ensure the machine’s heating systems are working correctly to maintain a stable and uniform temperature profile. This is the first line of defense against warpage.
- Part Orientation: Orienting long, flat parts vertically rather than horizontally can sometimes mitigate the risk of warpage.
- Software Compensation: Advanced software can apply scaling factors to the model to counteract the material’s natural shrinkage rate during cooling.
③ Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM):
- Wall Thickness: Adhere to minimum wall thickness guidelines (typically 0.8-1.0 mm) to ensure the part is robust and prints successfully.
- Hole Sizes: Small holes tend to shrink during sintering. It’s common practice to design them slightly oversized or plan to drill them to the final dimension post-print.
- Embossed/Debossed Details: Ensure text and fine details are large enough to be resolved clearly by the laser and not be lost during media blasting.
¿Cómo se compara SLS con SLA, MJF y FDM?
Choosing the right 3D printing technology depends on the specific requirements of your project. Here’s how SLS stacks up against other popular methods.
1. Comparison Table:
| Característica | Sinterización selectiva por láser (SLS) | Estereolitografía (SLA) | Fusión multichorro (MJF) | Modelado por deposición fundida (FDM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tecnología | Powder Bed Fusion (Laser) | Vat Photopolymerization (Laser/Projector) | Powder Bed Fusion (Thermal + Agents) | Material Extrusion (Filament) |
| Primary Materials | Nylons (PA11, PA12), TPU, PP | Photopolymer Resins (Standard, Tough, Flexible, Castable) | Nylons (PA12, PA11), TPU, PP | Thermoplastics (PLA, ABS, PETG, PC, Nylon) |
| Precisión dimensional | High (±0.25 mm) | Very High (±0.1 mm) | High (±0.25 mm) | Medium to Low (±0.5 mm) |
| Acabado superficial | Matte, grainy, porous | Very smooth, layer lines barely visible | Smooth, slightly less grainy than SLS | Visible layer lines, rough |
| Productivity/Speed | High (nesting parts), but long cooling cycles. | Medium (depends on part height and cross-section). | Very High (fast printing, shorter cooling cycles than SLS). | Slow (prints parts one by one). |
| Coste | High machine cost, medium part cost due to nesting. | Medium machine cost, low to medium part cost. | High machine cost, low part cost due to speed and nesting. | Low machine and material cost. |
| Puntos fuertes | No supports, durable functional parts, complex geometries. | Excellent detail and surface finish, ideal for visual models. | High speed, low part cost for production, good mechanical properties. | Low cost, wide material variety, easy to use. |
| Principales puntos débiles | Grainy surface, long lead times, powder handling. | Requires support structures, parts can be brittle, UV sensitive. | Limited materials, grainy surface (though better than SLS). | Low accuracy and resolution, visible layer lines, weaker Z-axis. |
2. SLS vs. SLA:
Elija SLS for durable, functional prototypes and end-use parts that need to withstand mechanical stress. Choose SLA when you need exceptional surface finish, fine detail, and accuracy for visual models, molds, or patterns.
3. SLS vs. MJF:
SLS and MJF are direct competitors. Both are powder bed fusion technologies ideal for producing functional nylon parts.
- MJF is generally faster and can offer a lower cost-per-part in production scenarios, due to its thermal printing process and more efficient heat management.
- SLS often provides a slightly “whiter” or brighter raw part and has a longer track record with a potentially wider range of specialty materials available on certain platforms. The surface finish of MJF parts is generally finer-grained than SLS.
4. SLS vs. FDM:
Elija SLS when you need strong, production-quality parts with complex geometry that FDM cannot produce without extensive support structures. Choose FDM for low-cost, early-stage concept models, simple jigs, or when a wide variety of colors and materials (like PLA or PETG) is needed quickly and affordably.
Preguntas frecuentes sobre la impresión 3D SLS
Yes. SLS parts, especially those made from nylon, possess excellent mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and impact resistance. They are one of the strongest polymer 3D printing options and are suitable for demanding functional applications and end-use parts.
In their raw, post-blasted state, SLS parts are slightly porous and will absorb moisture over time. They are not considered waterproof. However, they can be made waterproof and airtight through post-processing steps like chemical vapor smoothing or by applying an epoxy coating.
The cost is influenced by several factors: the volume of the part, the number of parts nested in a build, the material used, and any required post-processing. While the initial machine investment is high, the cost per part can be competitive for low-to-mid volume production runs due to efficient nesting and minimal labor.
The refresh rate is the percentage of fresh, virgin powder that must be mixed with recycled, unsintered powder from a previous build to create a new batch. A typical rate is 50/50. This is important because the powder that sits in the heated chamber degrades slightly, and reusing it without adding fresh powder would result in poor part quality. Managing the refresh rate is key to controlling costs and maintaining consistent material properties.
The term “SLS” is almost exclusively used for printing polymers (plastics). The equivalent process for metals is called Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) o Fusión selectiva por láser (SLM). While the underlying principle of using a laser to fuse powder is similar, DMLS/SLM machines use much more powerful lasers and operate at far higher temperatures in a completely inert atmosphere to process metal powders like aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel.
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