Nexterm Technologies

SLSSelective Laser Sintering

Complex, durable parts without support structures

SLS uses a high-power laser to fuse polymer powder particles, producing strong, functional parts with excellent mechanical properties and design freedom.

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Datasheet
Materials
Nylon (PA12, PA11), TPU, glass- and carbon-filled, other engineering polymers
Strength
High (isotropic, functional)
Detail & finish
Good (matte, slightly grainy)
Surface roughness (Ra)
50 – 100 µm
Support structures
Not required
Build speed
Moderate
Cost per part
Moderate to high
Best for
Complex geometry, functional assemblies, automotive and industrial parts

No support structures

Freedom to design complex geometry

High design freedom

Internal channels, lattice structures

Strong & durable

Isotropic mechanical properties

Production-ready

Consistent, repeatable results

How it works

Inside the machine

Hover over a numbered point or a list item to see where each part sits.

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Capabilities

What SLS is good at

Strong nylon parts with total design freedom and no supports.

Material options

06
  • PA12 (Nylon 12) · Most common
  • PA11 (Nylon 11) · High impact resistance
  • TPU · Flexible parts
  • Glass-filled / carbon-filled nylon
  • Flame-retardant grades
  • High-temperature polymers

Key advantages

07
  • No support structures required
  • Complex geometries
  • Good mechanical properties
  • Functional prototypes and end-use parts
  • Evenly distributed, consistent strength
  • Good chemical and thermal resistance
  • Efficient powder reuse

Applications

07
  • Functional assemblies
  • Automotive ducts and housings
  • Brackets and enclosures
  • Jigs and fixtures
  • Lattice and lightweight parts
  • Medical and industrial components
  • End-use production parts

Process flow

From CAD file to finished part

  1. 01

    3D CAD model

    Design or optimize

  2. 02

    Slicing

    Convert to layers

  3. 03

    Powder spreading

    Thin layer recoated

  4. 04

    Laser sintering

    Selective fusion

  5. 05

    Cooling & depowdering

    Finished part

Sample parts

Typical SLS parts

Air duct

PA12

Lightweight bracket

Glass-filled nylon

Functional housing

PA12

Lattice structure

PA12

Explore other technologies

3D printing overview
CAD DesignPrecise 3D models engineered for manufacturability.FDMCost-effective functional parts in a wide range of thermoplastics.SLASmooth, highly accurate resin parts with fine feature detail.MJFFast, consistent nylon parts built for batch production.Vacuum CastingBatches of polyurethane parts with production-like finish and color.3D ScanningTurn physical parts into accurate mesh and CAD data.

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Send us a CAD file, a sketch or a sample part. We'll recommend the right process, material and finish, and get back to you with a quote.

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