Functional housings and frames
Enclosures with integrated clips, bosses and mounting features in one piece.
SLS 3D printing.Complex nylon parts.
Selective laser sintering on an EOS P 396 in Jebel Ali. The powder supports every part as it builds, so internal channels, clips and full batches come out of one run.
600 mmBuild height on the EOS P 396
13Polymer powders
70 WCO₂ laser
No supportsParts are held by the powder bed
Fused from powder,supported by powder.
A laser fuses thin layers of nylon powder inside a heated chamber. The unfused powder holds each part in place, so no support structures are needed.
- System
- EOS P 396
- Build volume
- 340 × 340 × 600 mm
- Layer thickness
- 0.06–0.18 mm, material dependent (manufacturer data)
- Materials
- 13 powders, including PA 2200, PA 1101, PA 3200 GF and PA 2241 FR
Review and nest
We check the geometry and arrange your parts in three dimensions to fill the build volume.
Fuse each layer
The laser selectively fuses each fresh layer of powder, building every part in the batch at once.
Cool and recover
The build cools under control, then parts are broken out and loose powder is removed.
Clean and inspect
Surfaces are cleaned and finished as specified, then critical features are checked.
Where SLS earns its place.Complexity at no extra cost.
Because nothing needs support, a complex part costs much the same to build as a simple one. That makes SLS ideal for intricate parts and batches.
Ducts, vents and grilles
Thin-walled airflow parts and internal passages with no supports to remove.
Flame-retardant parts
PA 2210 FR and PA 2241 FR for transportation and cabin interior components.
PA 2241 FR
Serial batches
Dozens of parts nested in one build for low-volume production and repeat orders.
When SLS is right,and when it isn't.
We recommend the process that suits the part. Here is how SLS compares with our FDM and metal systems.
Choose SLS when
- The geometry is complex, with internal channels, lattices or undercuts.
- You need many small parts at once, nested in a single build.
- Snap-fits and clips need a tough, ductile nylon such as PA 1101.
- The part calls for a flame-retardant polyamide such as PA 2241 FR.
Look at another process when
- The part is bigger than 340 × 340 × 600 mm. FDM builds up to 914 mm in one piece.
- You need ULTEM™, PEKK or another high-temperature thermoplastic. These run on FDM.
- The part must be metal, or carry loads and temperatures beyond nylon. Consider metal LPBF.
- A cavity is fully sealed. Loose powder needs a way out.
| Compare | SLS | FDM | Metal LPBF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largest envelope | 340 × 340 × 600 mm (EOS P 396) | 914 × 610 × 914 mm (F900) | 300 × 300 × 450 mm (EP-M300) |
| Layer thickness | 0.06–0.18 mm | 0.127–0.508 mm | 20–120 μm |
| Materials | 13 polyamide, flame-retardant, filled and flexible powders | 18 engineering thermoplastics, including ULTEM™, PC, ASA and PEKK | 7 alloy families, from stainless steel to titanium and nickel |
| As-built surface | Fine, matte texture | Visible layer lines | Textured metal; critical faces often machined |
| Supports | None; the powder supports the part | Support material under overhangs | Supports and a build plate, removed after the build |
| Strength | Tough nylon parts with complex geometry | Tough thermoplastic parts, strongest along the layers | Fully dense metal parts |
| Typical uses | Ducting, housings, clips and serial batches | Cabin interior parts, large housings, jigs and fixtures | Valve internals, manifolds, impellers and brackets |
EOS P 396
EOS P 396 detailsOne EOS P 396,run in-house in Jebel Ali.
An industrial powder-bed system built for repeatable nylon production, from single parts to full batches.
- Build volume
- 340 × 340 × 600 mm
- Laser
- CO₂, 1 × 70 W
- Layer thickness
- 0.06–0.18 mm, material dependent
- Build rate
- Up to 3.0 l/h, manufacturer-stated
13 powders.Matched to the job.
Everyday PA12, tough PA11, glass-filled, flame-retardant and flexible grades. Open any material for its manufacturer data and typical uses.
PA 2200
Housings, clips and spare parts.
PA 1101
Snap-fit and impact-loaded components.
PA 3200 GF
Machine housings and tools.
PA 2210 FR
Transportation and electronics components.
PA 2241 FR
Transportation parts and housings.
EOS TPU 1301
Flexible interfaces and lattices.
Alumide
Display and functional components.
PA 2201
Housings and functional models.
Listed materials are manufacturer references. Grade availability is confirmed per order.
Design notesthat save a rebuild.
Send the CAD as it is. These are the points our engineers check first, and where a small change makes a better SLS part.
Powder escape
Hollow sections and channels need openings so loose powder can be removed after the build.
Thin walls and fine features
Minimum wall and feature sizes depend on the powder grade. We review them against your geometry before quoting.
Clearances and moving parts
Hinges and mating parts printed together need enough gap for the powder to clear between them.
Thick and flat sections
Large flat areas and heavy sections can distort as the build cools. Ribs and even wall thickness help.
Nesting and batches
Several designs can share one build. Tell us quantities up front and we plan the nest to suit.
Layer thickness
The EOS P 396 range is 0.06–0.18 mm, depending on material. Finer layers add detail; thicker layers build faster.
Clean, consistent,ready to fit.
SLS parts come out with a fine, matte texture. After powder removal we clean and finish them to the look and fit the part needs.
- Powder removal and cleaning from surfaces, channels and cavities.
- Surface preparation for visible faces and coatings.
- Colour and painting reviewed against the polymer and your reference.
- Threaded inserts and assembly before delivery.
- Dimensional checks on the critical features you identify.
SLS questionsengineers ask us.
Anything else? See all FAQs
Does SLS need support structures?
No printed supports are needed, because the surrounding powder holds the part during the build. Access for powder removal is still essential.
Can SLS print enclosed channels?
Yes, as long as loose powder can be removed. Fully sealed cavities and passages with no access need a design change, which we suggest at quotation.
Are flame-retardant powders approved for aircraft use?
Not on their own. A material designation does not approve a part. Paradigm 3D manufactures eligible aviation parts under a production arrangement with The Aviation AM Centre, the EASA Part 21G approval holder, which issues EASA Form 1 for parts supplied through that approved route.
What does the surface look like?
A fine, matte texture in the natural colour of the powder. Cleaning, surface preparation and paint are reviewed against the polymer and the appearance you need.
How many parts fit in one build?
It depends on part size and how well they nest in the 340 × 340 × 600 mm volume. Send quantities with your files and we plan the build around them.
Which files do you need?
STEP or STL for 3D data and a PDF drawing for critical dimensions. If you only have the old part or photos, we can scan and model it.
Bring us the part.
Send a drawing, a CAD file, or photographs and the old part. Tell us what it does, how many you need and when.