Imaginarium/Technologies/Polymer Additive Sheet 04 of 08

SLS

no supports, free geometry

Selective Laser Sintering. A CO₂ laser fuses nylon powder layer by layer, and the unfused powder cradles every overhang — so geometry is free, supports don’t exist, and whole interlocking mechanisms print pre-assembled.

CO₂ laser Optics Scanning mirror Recoater Nylon powder bed Chain printed moving, no assembly PRINTS ITS OWN SCAFFOLDING. undercuts cost nothing.
Build envelope380 × 380 × 600 mm
Typical volumes1 to 5,000 parts
Min wall0.7 mm
Lead time3 to 7 days
01 Why use it the good bits
  • Total design freedom: the powder bed is the support, so undercuts, lattices and internal channels cost nothing extra.
  • Print assemblies pre-assembled: hinges, chains and ball joints come out of the machine moving.
  • Tough, proven nylon parts with decades of production heritage.
  • Dense nesting: pack the build volume in 3D for efficient short runs.
  • A natural sibling to MJF: we route your part to whichever bed wins on cost and finish.
02 Ideal volumes how many?
  • 1–5,000 parts: functional prototypes through short-run production.
  • Best for one-piece mechanisms and complex ducting.
  • For higher volume or finer grain, MJF usually takes over; for cosmetic surfaces, SLA.

03 Materials

Pick your nylon

click one, geek out.

The original powder-bed nylons, qualified and in stock. Open a material for its typical properties, then download the datasheet as a PDF for your design review.

04 Post-processing & finishing post-processing to give end-use quality.
Bead blast (standard) Dye black Custom colour dye Vapour smooth Spray paint Threaded inserts Laser engrave
Take a break while the powder cools.

Proof not promises.

Set the steps

keep a door open.

Let’s build something