Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a rapid prototyping process used to fabricate 3-D objects. Selective Laser Sintering starts with a thin, evenly-distributed layer of powder. (Both plastic materials and metal powders may be used although post processing differs for each.) A laser is then used to sinter only the powder in a cross-section of the part. The energy added by the laser heats the powder into a viscous state and individual particles bond into a solid. Once the laser has scanned the entire cross-section, another layer of powder is laid on top and the process is repeated. SLS has a wide range of material options in available plastic powders. Metal powders used in SLS are fused with polymer binders that must be burned out. The sintered part is then infused with a lower melting alloy.