SLS/MJF Nylon Printing: Engineered for End-Use Parts & Complex Designs
When your parts need to be not just prototypes but ready for direct application; when your designs are so complex, filled with internal channels or interlocking mechanisms that traditional manufacturing falls short, SLS/MJF (Selective Laser Sintering / Multi Jet Fusion) technology is your definitive answer. It is a premier process born to produce durable, "truly functional" parts.
QTS employs industry-leading equipment like the Sinterit Lisa X and HP Jet Fusion 4200, using lasers or thermal energy to precisely sinter nylon (PA11/PA12) powder, building parts layer by layer with excellent mechanical properties and dimensional accuracy. Its most revolutionary advantage is that the entire process requires no support structures; the unsintered powder itself provides the best support. This grants designers unprecedented freedom.
Real-World Case: Lightweight Drone Structural Parts
A drone manufacturer needed lightweight yet durable arm connectors. Traditional CNC machining was not only heavy but also costly. QTS utilized SLS PA nylon powder printing to create parts with outstanding toughness and impact resistance.
The Result: Compared to traditional CNC, the part's weight was reduced by 40%, leading to an 18% increase in drone flight time, with a delivery cycle of just 7 days.
Core Advantages & Limitations of SLS/MJF
Why Choose SLS/MJF? (Pros)
✅ Ultimate Design Freedom: With no need for supports, you can design complex overhangs, hollow interiors, internal channels, and even print-in-place assemblies like chains or hinges that are functional right out of the printer.
✅ Excellent Mechanical Properties: PA11/PA12 nylon materials are inherently strong, tough, and wear-resistant. The finished parts have isotropic properties, making them ideal for functional end-use components like snap-fits, gears, and fixtures.
✅ High Productivity: Parts can be nested and stacked throughout the entire build volume, allowing for the simultaneous production of dozens or even hundreds of different small parts, greatly enhancing efficiency for low-volume production.
✅ No Post-Curing Needed: Parts are ready for use after being removed from the powder and cleaned, resulting in a simple and fast workflow.
What to Consider? (Cons)
⚠️ Surface Finish: The standard surface has a slightly grainy, matte texture (like very fine sandpaper), which is not as smooth as SLA. While it can be improved with post-processing, a mirror-like finish is not achievable.
⚠️ Material & Color Choice: Materials are primarily PA nylon and its composites (e.g., with glass fiber). Colors are typically gray/black, offering less variety than FDM or resin printing.
⚠️ Cost Factor: Equipment and material costs are higher than FDM and LCD, making it less suitable for simple appearance-only prototypes.
Our Nylon Material Selection
We offer a variety of high-performance nylon powders to meet diverse engineering needs:
PA12: The most well-balanced choice, offering high strength, stiffness, and good detail resolution.
PA11: Derived from renewable castor oil, it is tougher and more impact-resistant than PA12, with better elongation.
PA12 + GB (Glass-Bead Filled): Adds glass beads to PA12, significantly increasing stiffness, dimensional stability, and temperature resistance.
TPU/TPE: Flexible, rubber-like materials suitable for creating seals, gaskets, or soft-touch prototypes.
Typical Applications for SLS/MJF Technology
Low-Volume Production: Directly manufacturing end-use products in quantities up to several hundred without tooling.
Medical & Orthotics: Custom prosthetics and orthotics based on patient scan data.
Consumer Electronics: Durable drone bodies, wearable device housings, camera mounts.
Ready to leverage ultimate design freedom to build your next-generation product? Click here to fill out our service form, and our nylon printing specialists will provide you with the optimal manufacturing solution!
