Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing technology that uses a laser to sinter powdered material into a solid structure.
Selective Laser Sintering employs a high-power laser to selectively fuse regions of a powder bed, creating layers based on 3D model cross-sections. This technology is significant in producing complex geometries and functional prototypes without the need for tooling, making it indispensable in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturing.
SLS was used to fabricate a complex, lightweight aerospace bracket with an ultimate tensile strength of 50 MPa and a density of 1.2 g/cm³.
In aerospace applications, SLS is commonly utilized to produce components like brackets and housing units, which require precision and lightweight properties. These materials often undergo rigorous testing to validate performance under operational stress conditions.
The use of SLS in creating a batch of 500 customized orthodontic aligners with dimensional accuracy within ±0.2 mm.
This application is prevalent in dental practices where personalized patient solutions are required, offering significant reduction in lead time and cost compared to traditional methods.