SLS 3D Printing Service in Nylon PA 12

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What you get

SLS Market is an SLS printing service with a narrow scope. We run one industrial laser sintering system, one material and one finishing line, and we name them. You know which machine builds your part and where.

• Functional nylon parts. Laser-sintered PA 12 is a production-grade thermoplastic. It is used for housings, brackets, clips, jigs and fixtures, gripper fingers, ducts and small-series end-use parts.
• No tooling and no support structures. The surrounding powder supports the part during the build. Undercuts, internal channels and lattice structures do not add tooling cost.
• Parts finished for use. Every order is depowdered and blasted. Dyeing is available as an option.
• One part or a series. The same process covers a single prototype and repeat batches of the same geometry.

If you are still deciding whether the process fits your part, start with the guide What is SLS 3D printing.

Machine and material

Parts are built on an EOS FORMIGA P 110 Velocis, an industrial laser sintering system with a build volume of 200 x 250 x 330 mm. A CO₂ laser fuses thin layers of polyamide powder; the part is built inside a heated powder bed.

The material is Nylon PA 12 in white. PA 12 combines stiffness with enough ductility for snap-fits, has low moisture absorption compared with other polyamides and resists oils, greases and many common chemicals. The PA12 nylon guide covers the properties and limits in detail.

Finishing and dyeing

A part taken out of the powder bed is covered in loose and partly sintered powder. Finishing decides how it looks and feels in the hand.

• Blasting and surfacing. Parts are processed in a DyeMansion Powershot DUAL. The system does not color parts; it removes residual powder and evens out the surface in an automated, repeatable cycle, so parts from different batches receive the same treatment.
• Dyeing. Dyeing is a separate, optional step after blasting. White PA 12 takes dye well. The dye penetrates the surface layer, so the color does not chip like a coating and does not change the dimensions of the part. We use liquid dyes from the dye maker TCN; the shades are shown in the color catalog, and you can request any color from it.

The surface of a blasted SLS part is matte and slightly grainy. It is not glossy and not transparent.

Design limits

The values below are typical design guidance for laser-sintered PA 12. They describe what the process usually achieves and are not a guarantee for a specific geometry. Tell us about critical features in your request.

How ordering works

1. Send the model. Use the contact form or e-mail [email protected] with your 3D file, quantity, finish and color. If you are not sure about the file format, ask us before you send it.
2. Receive a quote. We check the geometry for printability and send a price and delivery date. Tell us your deadline in the quote request and we will confirm what is feasible.
3. Production. After your confirmation the parts are nested into a build, printed, cooled, depowdered, blasted and, if ordered, dyed.
4. Shipping. Parts are shipped from the Czech Republic. Shipping and payment details are agreed with you in the quote.

An online calculator that prices an uploaded model directly is in preparation. Until then every quote is prepared by a person who has looked at your part. If your files are confidential or you need an NDA, tell us in your request.

When SLS is the wrong choice

We would rather tell you before you order. SLS PA 12 does not suit parts larger than the build volume that cannot be split, transparent or glossy parts, metal parts, or parts that need a molded-quality surface straight from the machine. For a comparison with the closest alternative process, see MJF vs SLS.

Frequently asked questions

Which material and machine do you print with?

We print Nylon PA 12 (polyamide 12) in white on an EOS FORMIGA P 110 Velocis laser sintering system. Parts are then blasted and surfaced in a DyeMansion Powershot DUAL. We do not offer other processes or materials.

How large can an SLS part be?

The build volume of the EOS FORMIGA P 110 Velocis is 200 x 250 x 330 mm. A part has to fit inside this volume with some margin. Larger designs are usually split into sections that are joined after printing.

What accuracy can I expect from SLS parts?

The typical general tolerance for laser-sintered PA 12 is ±0.3 %, with a lower limit of ±0.3 mm. This is the usual convention for the process, not a guarantee for every geometry. If a dimension is critical, mark it in your request so we can discuss orientation and inspection.

Can SLS parts be colored?

Yes. The parts come out of the printer white, which makes them a good base for dyeing. Dyeing colors the surface layer of the part in a dye bath. Dyeing is a separate step after blasting, with liquid dyes from the dye maker TCN. The color catalog is at sls.market/colors.

How do I get a price?

Send your 3D model through the contact form on the homepage or by e-mail and we will prepare a quote. The price depends mainly on part volume, bounding box, quantity and the finish you choose. An online instant-quote calculator is in preparation.

Is there a minimum order quantity?

No. SLS needs no tooling, so a single part can be produced the same way as a series. Unit cost falls with quantity because more parts share one build.