SLS (Powder): the route, the tolerances it holds, materials and design tips, with an indicative cost. One of 56 processes in the free finder.
AdditiveFamily
+/-0.2mmTypical tol.
5Route steps
23Parts in finder
SLS 3D printing fuses nylon-based powder with a laser layer by layer, with the powder bed supporting the part so no supports are needed.
At a glance
When to use it, and when not
Best for
Functional nylon prototypes and low-volume end-use parts with complex geometry.
Watch for
Grainy finish, size limited by the build box, and powder handling.
Step by step
The typical route
Raw material to finished part. Steps vary with material, volume and tolerance; this is the free route from the finder.
Pack build
Nest many parts in the build volume.
Tooling Slicer Tolerance - Lead -
Print
Sinter nylon powder layer by layer.
Tooling SLS Tolerance - Lead -
Depowder
Remove and recover loose powder.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Finish
Dye/smooth as required.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Inspect
Check dimensions.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Precision
Tolerances it can hold
TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials it suits
Grade
Why it suits this
Nylon PA12
Tough, functional
Glass-filled nylon
Stiffer
TPU
Flexible
Design
Design tips
A few general pointers for SLS (Powder). The full, part-specific DFM list is in the dossier.
Fully enclosed voids.Add escape holes.
Very thin walls.Respect min wall (~1mm).
Cost
What it costs
Nylon powder, no supports, good functional parts and complex geometry; nests many parts per build for efficiency.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for your part at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$29 to 50per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on this process and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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SLS 3D printing fuses nylon-based powder with a laser layer by layer, with the powder bed supporting the part so no supports are needed. The typical route is: Pack build; Print; Depowder; Finish; Inspect. Functional nylon prototypes and low-volume end-use parts with complex geometry.
What does SLS (Powder) cost per part?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $29 to 50 per part at low volume and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. Model estimates, not quotes.
What tolerance can SLS (Powder) hold?
Typically about +/-0.2 mm, tighter with extra finishing operations at higher cost.
What materials suit SLS (Powder)?
Common choices are Nylon PA12 (Tough, functional); Glass-filled nylon (Stiffer); TPU (Flexible).
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
