SLS material choices

Nylon

The main components of the material is nylon 12, the material is rigid but flexible and  has the ability to produce good detail in the surface finishes The natural color is white and mimics molded nylon. This material tends to be good for smaller thicker walled parts. Thin wall parts and features can work during postprocessing.

Glass-Filled Nylon

This material is a mixture of 33% glass filled nylon and nylon 12 composite. This material has high impact shrink, is rigid, and very durable. The natural color this material is gray and mimics molded GF and nylon products. Typical applications for this material include functional prototypes, durable show models, or and use production parts.

SLS flex

SLS flex is a thermoplastic elastomer that is infiltrated with a urethane feller. This produces a rubberlike product with the durometer between 40 5A and 70 a the material is highly flexible and can be dyed to a variety of different colors. Typical applications include seals, gaskets, hoses, or boots.

Flame retardant nylon

Flame retardant nylon consists of 9 to 11 polyamide. This material is rigid but very flexible and very durable. It mimics flexible injection molded plastics. The flame retardant material is able to pass 1/62 | test.

Durable Nylon

Durable nylon's main material component is nylon. The material is rigid but flexible with excellent surface detail. The material mimics injection molded polypropylene is able to produce functional prototypes as well as durable show models. Bottle tops with functional hinges are one of the main uses for this material.

SLS finishes

With different SLS materials comes to for finish levels. Not all SLS materials can be finished to the same levels where he brought up the same standards as desolate materials can. SLS is commonly used to produce optional rapid prototypes rather than finished presentation models. However using coating/infiltrate, priming procedures and automotive finishing techniques SLS models can be finished to presentation level qualities.

Natural (Class 1A)

The part is removed from the machine and cleaned of all excess power using light brushes and compressed air. The part will appear to have a light texture on the surface.

Improved (Class 2A)

Part is cleaned and of all excess powders using light brushes and compressed air along with medium grit sanding pads. Any semi-cured material is removed to remotely save process using progressively finer grit sandpaper.

Standard Coated (Class 3A)

The part is cleaned to improve finish. After this is completed that part is coated with the appropriate encapsulate as seen in the chart above.

Primed (Class 3A)

The part is cleaned to an improved finish then encapsulated with infiltrate. After completed the part is then coated with an initial primer coat is added. At this stage the part is not paint ready and additional finishing steps need to be preformed.

Paint Ready (Class 4A)

The part is cleaned to an improved finish, all holes or voids in any surface defects are then filled with a variety of filling agents. The part is then sanded smooth and multiple primer coats are applied over time. At this stage the part will be ready to receive paint.