SLS - Selective Laser Sintering
The selective laser sintering technology uses a laser beam to sinter polymer-based or composite powder particles.
In SLS technology, thermoplastic polymers are used in powder form. Specifically, the most commonly used materials are PA11, PA12, PP, PA6, and TPU. Depending on the requirements and/or applications, it is possible to add reinforcing materials such as glass or carbon to the powders, to increase thermo-mechanical performance and provide dimensional stability to the printed object.
Among the main advantages of this technology, we can list geometric freedom, due to the absence of supports, increased productivity, due to the freedom of component positioning within the print volume, and finally, cost reduction.
SLA - Stereolithography
It is a technology that allows objects to be created using photosensitive resins solidified by a UV source. SLA boasts a wide selection of printable plastics with good mechanical properties.
The object resulting from printing has a smooth surface finish and is high quality, even in the presence of complex details. Resin printing technology is suitable for various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, biomedical, design, and rapid prototyping.
SLM - Selective Laser Melting
DMLS - Direct Metal Laser Sintering
Selective laser melting of metals is a 3D printing technology that fuses metal powder into a solid and homogeneous mass using a high-power laser, following the desired geometry. Various materials can be used: chrome-cobalt, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, steel, nickel alloys, bronze, and others. SLM and DMLS technologies allow the creation of very complex geometries in a single piece, intended for various sectors and industrial applications.
The printed product can be either a ready-to-test prototype or a finished part to be subjected to post-processing. This technology is ideal for producing small batches of different geometries, due to its speed of execution and the elimination of tooling costs.
FFF - Fused Filament Fabrication
FDM - Fused Deposition Modeling
Technology based on the extrusion by heating of a thermoplastic filament that makes the material fluid and moldable. The material is deposited on the print bed along a layer-by-layer path where it solidifies. The subsequent layer fuses with the underlying layer, according to a line pattern, building the object layer by layer.
The layers of material deposited by the extruder are visible on the object’s surface, which can be partially or totally eliminated through subsequent finishing work. It is possible to process a wide range of materials, high-melting (PEEK, ULTEM) or low-melting (TPU, ABS, PA, etc…). The technology requires supports, manually removable or soluble, which will be removed with post-printing processes.
Finally, the polymer filament extrusion technology makes it possible to produce components with multiple co-printed materials.
