Selective LaserSintering Selective laser sintering is an additive rapid prototyping technique that uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of thermoplastic, metal, polyamide (nylon), ceramic, or glass filled nylon. SLS offers the key advantage of making functional parts in essentially final materials, depending on use of the part. Brian Reniker . A . also known as abbreviation of Standard Triangulation Language.STL file is is simply a mesh of triangles wrapped around a CAD model (this was defined by 3D CAD systems in 1980s).STL’s name is derived from a rapid prototyping process. (b) an STL file. The Solid Models as a: (a) Solid Model.SLS prototypes like many rapid prototyping processes are constructed from a . . and (c) in Sliced Layers. StereoLithography.STL file. This very simple format has become an industry standard for the Rapid Prototyping sector. The process of Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is somewhat similar to sterolithography. in that a prototype is produced rapidly through layering of material. From thermoplastic powders mostly. . very glassy state when cooled sufficiently. although SLS is useful in that many A thermoplasti c is a plastic that melts to a liquid when heated and freezes to a brittle. Glass Filled Nylon is suitable for high thermal resistance and high impact strength prototypes. a . material allows the production of fully functional prototypes with high strength.Such as. polyamide (Nylon). SLS Somos 201 is used for functional rubber like parts. Depending on the use of the part being constructed these parts may be functional. •Price . shape. Even various SLS models ordered at the same time as a single batch are much cheaper to make than ordering separately.It could be few hours or a day it really depends upon the build size. •Speed .Multiple pieces of the same part are much cheaper than ordering a single piece. . and accuracy needed. 3” x 2’.3” x 13. and form a larger part. The thickness of an individual SLS layer is 0. . depending upon the material used. Although larger parts can be constructed by making many smaller parts to assemble.•Size of SLS singlemade parts are generally 13.2 mm layer thickness.15 to 0. The entire internal system is heated to below the melting point of whatever substance is being used. an optical sensor. .The process of Selective Laser Sintering is actually quite simple. and whatever material is being used to form a part are used in co-ordination with the laser. So that when heat is applied by the high energy CO2 laser melts and fuses (sinters) the substance. To do this two piston-like platforms. a roller. The material which has been moved to the second piston will then be . When this piston is raised it makes the substance available to the roller. The roller moves the material over the second piston to cover the part being constructed.The first piston contains most of the substance.