Scale Without Tooling: High-Volume SLS Production
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) represents the pinnacle of tool-less manufacturing for durable, high-performance components.
As a strategic end-to-end production partner with EOS, Prototal operates one of Europe’s most advanced SLS infrastructures, utilizing high-powered CO2 lasers to fuse polymer powders into complex, self-supporting geometries. This deep technical integration with EOS ensures repeatability and optimized material properties across serial runs of up to 100,000 parts.
Industrial SLS Material Portfolio
PA 2200
A versatile, strong, and durable classic for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). It offers excellent mechanical properties, making it ideal for functional prototypes and end-use parts.
- Balanced mechanical profile
- High detail resolution and surface quality
- Proven biocompatibility
PA 2210 FR
A high-performance, halogen-free flame retardant polyamide engineered for sensitive environments where smoke toxicity and environmental impact are critical concerns.
- Integrated flame retardancy
- High tensile modulus
- Optimized for aerospace and electrical applications
PA 2241 FR
A high-performance, halogen-containing flame retardant polyamide engineered for sensitive environments where smoke toxicity and environmental impact are critical concerns.
- Formulated for flame retardancy
- Robust mechanical strength
- Optimized for aerospace and electrical applications
PA 3200 GF
Known for its exceptional strength and fine resolution, this Nylon 12 powder provides a smooth finish and excellent chemical resistance, perfect for complex, detailed parts.
- High structural rigidity
- Superior tensile modulus
- Exceptional thermal resistance
PA 603-CF
The ultimate material for high-performance engineering, PA 603-CF is a carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon offering extreme stiffness and an industry-leading strength-to-weight ratio.
- Exceptional tensile strength
- Extreme stiffness with a tensile modulus
- High-temperature stability
PA 620-MF
Reinforced with mineral fibers, PA 620-MF provides superior tensile strength and heat deflection temperatures compared to standard polyamides.
- High surface hardness
- Exceptional thermal performance
- Optimized for wind tunnel testing
PA 640-GSL
Engineered for lightweight structural integrity, PA 640-GSL is a hollow glass-sphere reinforced nylon that offers exceptional dimensional stability and low density.
- Exceptional dimensional stability
- High thermal integrity
- Suitable for weight-sensitive applications
TPU 88A Black & White
An elastomeric material, TPU is highly valued for its flexibility, shock absorption, and abrasion resistance, making it the go-to choice for seals, grips, and flexible connectors.
- Rubber-like flexibility and high energy return
- Exceptional durability
- Superior vibration dampening properties for protective gear and industrial buffers
PA 12 Alu
A specialized blend of aluminum powder and polyamide, PA 12 Alu is chosen for its distinctive metallic aesthetic, excellent machinability and enhanced thermal conductivity.
- Increased thermal conductivity
- Increased heat deflection
- High stiffness-to-weight ratio
PA 11
Offering superior impact resistance and ductility compared to Nylon 12, PA 11 is derived from renewable sources, making it a more sustainable, high-performance option.
- High impact resistance and ductility
- Sourced from renewable castor oil
- Superior chemical resistance
The Mechanics of Precision: How SLS Works
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is the industrial standard for tool-less serial production. It is a Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) process that transforms digital CAD data into high-performance sintered plastic components, layer by layer, without the need for support structures.
The Step-by-step Process in SLS
- Thermal Preparation: The build chamber is heated to just below the melting point of the polymer powder. This minimizes thermal distortion and ensures uniform mechanical properties.
- Powder Distribution: A recoater blade spreads an ultra-thin layer of powder (typically 100–120 microns) across the build platform.
- CO2 Laser Sintering: A high-precision CO2 laser traces the cross-section of the parts, sintering (fusing) the powder particles together.
- Self-Supporting Build: Because the part is surrounded by unsintered powder throughout the process, the powder acts as a natural support. This allows for extreme geometric complexity, such as internal channels and nested assemblies, that other technologies cannot achieve.
- Controlled Cooling: Once the build is complete, the entire “build cake” undergoes a regulated cooling phase. This is critical to prevent warping and to lock in the material’s crystalline structure.
- Post-processing: Once the cooling cycle is complete, the “build cake” is unpacked and processed according to the customers specifications i.e. vibratory finishing, vapor smoothing, dyecoloring.
Engineering Your Perfect Surface for your SLS Part
We empower you to tailor every surface to your exact requirements — whether your application demands the high-gloss, fluid-tight seal, a refined tactile haptic, or the vibrant, scratch-resistant branding with dyecoloring.
By utilizing industry-leading technology from partners like AMT, AM Solutions and DyeMansion, we ensure that your parts don’t just meet mechanical tolerances but also achieve the specific resilience your project requires.
Datasheets at a Glance
| SLS | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile strength (MPa) | Tensile modulus (MPa) | Elongation at break | Charpy IS (kJ/m² at 23°C) | HDT (°C @ ~1.8 MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA 11 | 1.02 | XY 52 / Z 54 | XY 1750 / Z 1800 | XY 28% / Z 24% | XY 184 / Z 85 (unnotched) | XY 76 (1.80 Mpa) |
| PA 2200 | 0.93 | XY 48 / Z 42 | XYZ 1650 | XY 18% | X 53 (unnotched) | XY 64 / Z 57 (1.80 Mpa) |
| PA 3200 GF | 1.22 | XY 51 / Z 47 | XY 3200 / Z 2500 | XY 9% | X 35 (unnotched) | XY 96 (1.80 Mpa) |
| PA 2210 FR | 1.06 | XY 46 / Z 41 | XY 2500 / Z 2300 | XY 4% | – | XY 95 / Z 108 (1.80 Mpa) |
| PA 2241 FR | 1.00 | XY 49 / Z 46 | XYZ 1900 | XY 15% | – | XY 84 (1.80 Mpa) |
| PA 603-CF | 1.10 | XY 85 | XY 7900 | XY 4% | – | XY 173 (1.82 Mpa) |
| PA 620-MF | 1.20 | XY 51 / Z 34 | XY 5725 / Z 3000 | XY 5% / Z 3% | – | XY 179 (1.82 Mpa) |
| PA 640-GSL | 0.82 | XY 49 / Z 33 | XY 3816 / Z 1945 | XYZ 3% | – | XY 170 (1.82 Mpa) |
| PA 12 Alu | 1.36 | XY 48 | XY 3800 | X 4% | – | XY 144 (1.80 Mpa) |
| TPU 88A | 1.1 | X 8 / Z 7 | XY 75 | X 280% / Y 130% | – | – |
The data shown is indicative and intended for reference only. Material properties may vary depending on printing conditions and technology. Although care has been taken to ensure accuracy, typographical or data entry errors may occur. Please be aware that certain values in this table can be derived from different testing standards made from our suppliers, for authoritative specifications, please refer to the original manufacturer datasheets provided under each material.
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Quote Your Next Project
Looking for high-quality industrial 3D printing solutions tailored to your needs? Our team is ready to provide a detailed quote for your project. Simply share your specifications, and we’ll deliver a clear, competitive estimate — no surprises, just precision and reliability.
Why choose us?
- 3D printing solutions for any scale and complexity
- Fast and accurate quoting process
- Local presence close to your business and business needs
FAQs
Do you have questions regarding SLS Industrial 3D Printing? Find the most common questions and answers about the subject here.
Our biggest industrial SLS platforms from EOS can accommodate build volumes up to 700 x 380 x 580 mm depending on part geometry. However, for larger components, we can utilize advanced bonding techniques allowing for the creation of massive assemblies.
While SLS parts are naturally porous due to the sintering process, we offer specialized sealing with vapor smoothing. These post-processing steps close the surface pores, making the components airtight and resistant to fluid ingress, which is essential for tanks, manifolds, and ducting.
Yes, SLS PA 2200 is biocompatible. Additionally, PA 2200 can be certified for food contact under EU and FDA regulations, provided the correct post-processing and finishing.
We offer a range of post-processing services to ensure your 3D printed parts meet the highest standards of quality, precision, and aesthetics.
SLS 3D Printing Post-Processing
- Support Removal & Sanding
- Vapor Smoothing
- Vibratory Finishing
- Bead Blasting
- Coloring
- Primer, Painting, coating & lacquering
- Threaded/non-threaded inserts
- Assembly
Manufacturing should not be transactional. At Prototal we value a partnership, which is why you will get a dedicated contact person close to your operations that knows your business and business needs. To start our future partnership, please reach out to the local team within your area that can be found under Contact us or send us an e-mail:
- Norway: post@prototal.no or +47 74 09 06 00
- Sweden: 3dp@prototal.se or +46 (0) 36-38 72 00
- Denmark: 3dp@prototal.dk or +45 43 99 37 36
- United Kingdom: info@prototaluk.com or +44 01635 635855
- Italy: info@prosilas.com or +39 0733 892665
- Austria, Germany & Switzerland: 3dp@prototal.at or +43 5572 52946-9
As a flexible partner we can offer lead times down to 1 working day depending on the selection of material, post-processing and quality control. Usually, you can expect a lead time within the range of 2-3 working days, depending on same variables as stated above.
*While Prototal offers industry-leading turnaround times, all delivery schedules are estimates based on standard operating conditions. Final lead times are subject to local availability, part geometry, build volume, and specific material selection. Complex geometries requiring extensive support structures or high-performance materials may require additional processing time to ensure structural integrity and dimensional accuracy.
