1. What is SLS?
Selective Laser Sintering is one of the 3D printing methods, which was explored and patented in early 80’s. It utilizes laser beam to sinter powder materials layer by layer together. As compared to FDM/FFF technology it is suitable mainly for the functional parts, like prototypes or small series end products. It is mainly given by the exceptional mechanical, chemical resistant and temp resistant features of the SLS printed parts.
2. Is the printer intended to print metals?
No, it is quite different discipline. This printer is about to print plastic polymers.
3. What are the estimated material costs of the build?
It is somewhere around 3.000USD.
4. Which type of laser is used in SLS4All?
It is the laser diode source emitting the laser beam within the blue spectrum (wavelength 445nm). Optical laser power is 5W.
5. What is the spot size and max. scanning speed?
Spot is around 250 microns and max. scanning speed 900-1000 mm/s.
6. Does it use f-theta lens?
No, it doesn’t. It uses simple optic lenses. At this moment there are two plano-convex lenses in Keplerian telescope arrangement.
7. What is the desired effective print volume?
At this stage it is 150x150x180mm. Total print chamber volume is 175x175x200mm.
8. What material is being used for printing?
It is the Nylon PA12 at this moment. Flex TPU is planned as the next one.
9. What will be the common layer height?
100 – 150 microns
10. Is the powder toxic?
No, it is not. There are no health-risks but safety glasses, gloves and respirator are recommended.
11. How much does the powder material costs?
Branded powders start at 100USD per Kg. Unbranded quality powders directly from manufactures at Alibaba start at about 55 USD per Kg.
12. What kind of recoating mechanism is in place?
I started with counter rotating roller but moved to flat-bottom blade later.
13. Does printer use active heating?
Yes, it has 14 thermo regulation loops in total. Five for powder chamber, the same for print chamber and four for surface heating control.
14. What firmware does the printer use?
It is the modification of the Klipper Firmware running on BigTreeTech board SKR 1.4 Turbo and Raspberry Pi 4B (2GB RAM at this moment).
15. What control SW does the printer use?
It is our own proprietary SW implemented as the web-based app.
16. Which 3D file formats are supported?
At this moment the STL format is supported, but we will add more.
17. What is the connectivity of the printer?
It can be connected via ethernet or wifi. USB is also ready to use.