Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printing Services in the UK

Free Delivery
PA 11, PA 12, Flex TPU, Alumide
Manufacturing From 3 Business Days

Start A New 3D Printing Quote

STEP | STP | SLDPRT | STL | IPT | 3DXML | CATPART | PTC | PRT | SAT

Start Your New Instant Quote

All uploads are secure and confidential.

Trusted by over 60,000 engineers & purchasing leaders

SLS 3D Printing Services

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is one of the most popular 3D printing technologies that produce highly accurate and durable parts that are perfect for end-use, low-to-mid volume production, or for rapid prototyping.

Though SLS provides high detail quality and perfect production repeatability, it is one of the most inexpensive options for industrial 3D printing services because it can build parts in bulk without support structure requirements. SLS 3D printed parts can be post-processed by media tumbling and colouring.

Try Xometry Out Now In Just A Few Steps

Upload your CAD files

Multiple designs for different parts can be imported at the same time to produce a single quote. In less than a minute, a detailed cost estimation appears on the screen.

Choose the process

First, select the manufacturing process you require. You can then choose from over 50 materials and from a wide range of finishes and certifications.

Order your parts online

Once you have selected the required options, all you need to do is confirm the order and pay for it on the secure payment platform. Your design will be analysed by engineers.

Receive your parts

Within a short amount of time, you will receive the parts you ordered directly to your shipping address. You can track your package at any time in your personal account.

Advantages of SLS with Xometry UK

Massive Capacity

We can quickly produce both prototypes and large batches thanks to a large manufacturing network, with over 2,000 vetted partners.

Fast Production

You will get your 3D printed parts fast delivered in as fast as 3-5 days in the UK.

Quality Assurance

We have strong QA procedures, controlled by an in-house team of QA engineers, which allows us to deliver high quality parts. Xometry UK is ISO 9001 certified.

Engineering Check & Status Updates

All designs are checked by engineers before they’re sent for 3D printing. After confirming your order, you will receive status updates on your production.

SLS 3D Printing Materials

Rigid Plastics

Alumide® / Nylon 12 (PA 12) filled with aluminium
Nylon 11 / PA 11
Nylon 12 (PA 12) glass-filled
Nylon 12 / PA 12 (SLS, MJF)
Nylon 12 flame retardant / PA 2241 FR
PA 11 Food Grade
PA 12 Food Grade
Polypropylene (PP)

Flexible Plastics

Flex TPU

Finishing Options

As-printed

Parts are de-powdered with a sandblasting process and manual powder removal. The standard finish is matte with a sugar cube-like texture.
Final result:
- Sugar cube-like grainy surface
- Matte appearance
Bead blasting

Depowdering of parts with bead blasting.

Notes:

Semi-sintered surface particles remain on the part even after initial depowdering.
Final result:
- Slightly grainy in the touch
- Uniform, matte or satin-like appearance
Vapour smoothing

Bathing printed parts in vaporised chemical solvents to create a controlled chemical melt of the material.
Notes:
Can soften sharp edges

Not suitable for small features and thin walls
Final result:
- Smooth in the touch
- Glossy appearance
Media tumbling

This is a batch-based process that tumbles vibrating media to remove sharp edges and burrs on machined parts. Tumbling can remove machine marks on exterior surfaces creating a more uniform appearance.

Notes:

Parts over 20 cm (8”) may require a manual review.
Final result:
- Smooth in the touch
- Satin-like matte appearance
SLS PA 12, green dyed

SLS PA 12, red dyed

SLS PA 12, yellow dyed

SLS PA 12, black dyed

Dyeing

Colouring parts using dye.

Notes:

The dye penetrates 0.25 mm into the part surface.
Available colors:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Yellow
Vapour smoothing + dyeing

Parts are first bathed in vaporised chemical solvents, creating a controlled chemical melt that softens sharp edges and results in a smooth, glossy appearance. Following this, the parts are dyed with the chosen colour.
Notes:
Smooth surface

Glossy coloured appearance
Available colors:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Yellow
Vapour smoothing + spray painting

Parts are first bathed in vaporised chemical solvents, creating a controlled chemical melt that softens sharp edges. The parts are then spray painted to apply a continuous, protective colour finish.
Notes:
Smooth surface

Polished look with coloured surface

Over 200 RAL codes available
Available colors:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Red
- Yellow
- Custom colour (RAL)
Custom

If you select a custom finish in the Instant Quoting Engine it will require manual review. Manual quoting usually 1-2 business days.

Notes:

Submitting for manual review with a custom request does not guarantee a quote.

SLS Materials for Special Applications

Food-Grade

Food-grade PA 11 and PA 12 are highly regarded food-compliant materials that have gained popularity along with SLS 3D printing. These materials possess exceptional biocompatibility and are specifically formulated to meet the stringent requirements for producing food-related objects.

Xometry offers two food-compliant materials compatible with SLS:

PA 12 – in white colour
PA 11 – in blue colour

Flame-Retardant

PA 2241 FR is a polyamide powder infused with a concentrated flame-retardant compound. This high-performance material proves to be highly advantageous when it comes to producing flame-resistant components possessing remarkable mechanical characteristics. This material is hence suitable for aeronautics and aerospace applications.

Comparison of two food-grade 3D prints: SLS PA 12 (left) and SLS PA 11 (right)

Closeup of an SLS 3D part printed with PA 2241 flame-retardant material

Pros & Cons of SLS 3D Printing

Advantages	Considerations
Free form design: doesn’t need support features	Limited material and colour choice
Versatile, durable, flexible and chemical resistant material (Nylon)	Surface roughness (however, could be reduced by media tumbling)
Scalable into series	Warping issues for large feature
Fast: Xometry can deliver them in just 3 days	Limited post-processing options
Cheap, especially for small series

SLS Manufacturing Specifications & Capabilities

	SLS	HP MJF	SLA	FDM	Carbon DLS	DMLS	Polyjet
Lead time	3 days	3 days	7 days	8 days	5 days	10 days	7 days
Build volume	up to 340 x 340 x 605 mm, but usually, we recommend the maximum size of 320 x 320 x 580 mm	up to 380 x 284 x 380 mm, while we normally recommend the maximum size of 356 x 280 x 356 mm	• 145 × 145 × 185 mm (Standard) • 736 x 635 x 533 mm (Industrial)	• 350 x 350 x 350 mm (Standard) • 900 x 600 x 900 mm (Industrial)	up to 119 x 189 x 300 mm. Recommended size: Within 100 x 100 x 150 mm	400 x 400 x 400 mm	up to 490 mm x 391 mm x 200 mm
Layer thickness	~0.1 mm and for water-tight parts 1.5 mm, when wall thickness is higher	~0.08 mm	min 0.02	~0.05-0.3 mm	~0.1 mm	0.02 – 0.08 mm depending on the material	0.04 mm
Minimum feature size	0.5 mm	0.5 mm	0.2 mm	up to 0.2 mm	0.5 mm	0.75 mm for cosmetic features, 1.5 mm for structural features	1.2 mm or greater for rigid. 2 mm or greater for rubber-like
Tolerance	±0.3% (± 0.3 mm)	±0.3% (± 0.2 mm)	• ±0,5% (±0,2 mm) (Standard) • ±0,5% (±0,15 mm) (Industrial)	±0,5% (±0,5 mm) (Standard & Industrial)	±0.1% (±0.1 mm). However, tolerances are not guaranteed on the first attempt at a new design.	±0.2% (±0.1 – 0.2 mm)	±0.1 mm for the first dozens of mm is typical, plus ±0.05 mm for every mm thereafter
Description	One of the most popular and inexpensive technologies for industrial 3D printing	A technology that produces highly accurate and durable parts at fast speeds, especially compared to other powder bed fusion technologies	A technology that produces extremely accurate and high-resolution parts	Widely known for a great material selection, accuracy, and possibility to print large parts	A breakthrough technology that uses digital light projection, programmable liquid resins, and oxygen-permeable optics to produce parts with exceptional durability, resolution, and surface finish	Metal 3D printing technology. Selectively fuses a fine metal powder in aluminium or stainless steel	Polyjet is a rigid photopolymer 3D printing technology that produces high-detailed models
Support structures	No	No	Yes, for overhanging features	Yes, for overhanging features	Yes, for overhanging features	Yes, for overhanging features	Yes, for overhanging features
	Read more about SLS	Read more about HP MJF	Read more about SLA	Read more about FDM	Read more about Carbon DLS	Read more about DMLS	Read more about Polyjet