SLS Materials
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
We produce our SLS plastic prototypes parts in Nylon and Glass-Filled Nylon giving a comprehensive choice of plastic prototype materials to suit all your Rapid Prototyping/Manufacturing requirements. With the UK's largest SLS facility, we are able to dedicate machines to specific materials, thereby reducing the turnaround time and delivery leadtimes.
Nylon and Glass-Filled Nylon provide good long term stability, strength and durability required for form, fit and functional testing. Neither material is hydroscopic or porous (given sufficient wall thickness), thereby negating the requirement to seal the surface on components being used with liquids.
Nylon 12 (Polyamide PA2200)
By far the most common material used in SLS, parts have good long term stability, offering resistance to most chemicals. It is harmless to the environment and safe to use with foodstuff. Complexity is irrelevant and the material delivers the impact strength and durability required for functional testing. Tensile and flexural strength combine to make tough plastic prototypes, with the flex associated with many production thermoplastics. It is able to emulate living hinge designs, certainly to 20+ cycles. The plastic material is non-hygroscopic, thereby negating the requirement to seal the surface on components being used with liquids.
Glass Filled Nylon 12 (Polyamide PA3200)
This is the Glass Filled variant of PA2200. Providing greater rigidity, the glass-filled blend is perfect when prototyping rigid parts intended for production in advanced engineered thermoplastics, and is the right choice for functional testing. Form, fit and functional testing can now be completed without sacrifice. The filler is glass bead and not fibre. Hence the part predominantly increases in stiffness but not strength. Filler ratio approximately 40% by weight. Material is not hydroscopic or porous (given sufficient wall thickness), thereby negating the requirement to seal the surface on components being used with liquids.
The full technical specifications are downloadable as pdf documents. If you are unable to open pdf files, you can download a free copy of Adobe Reader here
Local MP nominates 3T for ‘Made by Britain’ award – 2 Feb 12
Lisa Harouni presents 'A Primer on 3D Printing' - 24 Jan 12
3T to present at the Association of Laser Users event - 23 Jan 12
Giant kite made up of 6,000 plastic AM pieces - 9 Jan 12
