A.I. Tony looks at whether SLS parts can warp which, spoiler alert, yes, they can.
But is there a way to avoid, or reduce, the risk of warping?
Very briefly, what is SLS?
SLS, or Selective Laser Sintering, is a 3D Printing process where nylon powder is cured with a laser in 0.1mm layers. It’s accurate and parts benefit from high strength and stiffness which is why they’re often used for simulating components that will ultimately be injection moulded.
So, can SLS parts warp?
Yes. Due to the curing process of using heat to melt each layer of powder together, the heat up and cool down can stress the material causing it to warp. We minimise this by using a cool-down period equal to build time. This allows the core temperature to gradually cool minimising warpage.
How can you avoid – or minimise – warpage?
To avoid or reduce the risk of warpage, you can add ribs and general strengthening features to your design, particularly large flat areas. This will most likely prove useful if you will eventually move to injection moulding in your design cycle as injection moulding can also suffer from the same warping problems.
Is there an alternative process?
While it’s not possible to completely avoid warping in SLS parts, SLA is a good alternative for parts that don’t need to be so robust.
Talk to the experts
If in doubt, talk to one of our experts by contacting the Business Relations Team on 01763 249760 or email office@prototypeprojects.com.
Credit where it’s due
A.I. Tony is the presenter of this video, but the content was written by Adam Sharkey, our Senior RP 3D Technician – Team Leader.