The SLS 3D printer uses a laser as an energy source. This selectively melts a powdery plastic material and thus creates a 3D-printed component layer by layer. SLS belongs to the field of laser melting, and is one of the most advanced and reliable 3D printing technologies in the field of additive manufacturing with plastics.
Using the CAD data as a specification, the laser melts the plastic material exactly in the predefined areas. After the melting process, the building platform lowers, and a new layer of powder is applied. This process is repeated until the component is completed layer by layer.