SLS Powder Printing
Explore the Benefits of SLS Printing at KADK: Using Fuse 1+ for Strong, Complex, and Support-Free 3D Prints
Last updated
Explore the Benefits of SLS Printing at KADK: Using Fuse 1+ for Strong, Complex, and Support-Free 3D Prints
Last updated
At KADK, we have a Fuse 1+ SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) printer that uses a laser to fuse powder material into solid parts, offering high-strength and detailed prints without the need for support structures. The Fuse 1+ has several advantages over the Prusa FDM printers commonly used at the university, but it is more complex to operate. Therefore, you will need to consult with a KADK employee in the metal and model workshop to use the Fuse 1+ for 3D printing.
Unlike FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers, which extrude melted plastic to build layers, the Fuse 1+ SLS printer provides several benefits:
No Need for Supports: SLS printing builds parts in a bed of powder, which acts as its own support material. This allows for more complex geometries without the need for additional support structures, unlike FDM, which often requires supports for overhangs.
Superior Mechanical Properties: SLS technology creates parts with strong, uniform mechanical properties in all directions, making them more durable and suitable for functional prototypes and end-use parts compared to FDM prints, which may have weaker points along the layer lines.
Efficient Use of Material: SLS printers like the Fuse 1+ make efficient use of powder materials, as unused powder can be recycled for future prints. This results in less material waste compared to FDM, where support material and other remnants are typically discarded.
By choosing the Fuse 1+ SLS printer, you can create more complex, durable, and precise parts that are difficult to achieve with FDM printing, especially for functional applications.