It’s crazy how quickly SLS printers are dropping in price. They use to cost an arm AND a leg, but now it’s just an arm. I thought this high-level video of the technology would be useful for the uninitiated. Prepare to see a lot more companies adding SLS printers to their shops and nylon parts to their product lines. Very exciting future!
One thing to be aware of: Sintering is a process where, by definition, particles coalesce _below melting temperature_ so referring to the laser as _melting_ the plastic powder can be confusing. The plastic powder doesn't go full liquid, it locally fuses together to form a larger solid. (But, admittedly, plastics tend not to have a melting point, but a melting _range_ so it's more difficult to properly define the start of the true molten state.) The most accurate name for this process would be SLF: Selective Laser Fusing. But SLS is much more common and there are already enough abbreviations out there, so SLS will work. (For background: MSc in Materials Science & Engineering here)
I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux,” and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
Note that _sintering_ has a very specific meaning; if you use heat sufficient to _melt_ the base powder, it's not sintering, it's liquid fusion. Sintering is often used with metal powder compressed in a mold, then heated to a temp _below_ the melting point to fuse the particles. At or above the melting point is SLM, Selective Laser Melting; we use that to make jet engine parts. Less porosity, more power consumption. From the description, this sounds like SLM.
I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux,” and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
The real magic, I believe, is to use the philosophy of Bruce Lee, which is to analyze many different methods, take the best from them, then throw away the rest. For 3d printing, this means taking the best from plastics 3d print technology such as FDM, Resins, SLS, Jetting, etc. and the best of metals 3d print technology, and building a printer that is truly fabulous. For myself, this means increased quality & speed, while lowering costs.
Great video! So this is stronger than the 'common' 3d print material - makes sense. I'm sure this depends on the raw material you are using, but do these SLS parts have a higher operating temp than the 3d printed products? Say you are interested in making something to work in a hot environment... thanks!
Additive manufacturing by using metal powder and a laser to sinter the powder into a part was first tried in the mid Eighties, sponsored by DARPA. Commercial SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) 3D metal printers have been around some 15 years now. Sintering means the powder does not go into the liquid state, it fuses below melting pont. With increase in available laser power and advancements in optics, about a decade ago it started to become possible to do SLM: Selective Laser Melting. With SLS you can get to about 95% of the density of bulk metal. SLM can get to 99,9% density and better. SLM printed parts are therfor much better in terms of strength. And yes, a full metal SLM printer will be at least the size of 2 or 3 full size standing fridges and may cost more than a house. Or several houses. Also, the "toner", the very fine tightly controlled metal powder, is extremely expensive. Roughly 10 times as much as the bulk metal.
Looks too grey. Possibly a large grain structure. Needs a stronger laser and a kiln to anneal it all together. Then you could probably drive a car over it.... probably
I bought one of these printers only to make a case for my iphone, then I threw the printer away cause I was done with it. Im a 1%er, money dont mean anything to me.
