How does Rapid Prototyping using DeskProto compare to Stereolithography and other Layered Manufacturing Technologies (LMT) ?
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing process that uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of plastic, metal, ceramics, nylons into a 3 dimensional object. KEKO is a premier selective laser sintering service company. An advantage to using SLS is the range of materials that can be used, including nylon, metals, and elastomers.
SLS uses a layer system of building up a part with each layer of powder being sintered separately by a laser. As each layer is sintered it slowly constructs the part step by step. SLS models are often stronger than Stereolithography (SLA) models and are often used for form, fit, and function testing as well as direct manufacturing applications.
Selective laser sintering can be used in every stage of the product development cycle, from the production of one-shot models to functional test parts and small production series. SLS prototypes are particularly suited to functional testing in rigorous environments including high temperatures.
Industries using this process: Automotive, Aerospace, Architectural, Machinery etc.
KEKO’s Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) service enables the supply of tough, durable prototypes in 2-7 days from acceptance of CAD data and our competitive pricing due to our high throughput and high build densities (making the machines more efficient).
Both available Rapid Prototyping methods, LMT and CNC have their specific advantages and disadvantages. As a result both have their preferred application areas as well: for CNC these are Concept Models and Styling Block Models, for LMT Functioning Prototypes. See the publication “CNC versus LMT” (PDF/ 426 Kb) on the articles page of our website.
Related Questions
- I thought that Rapid Prototyping was about stacking thin layers of material: how can DeskProto that uses CNC milling be called Rapid Prototyping ?
- How does Rapid Prototyping using DeskProto compare to Stereolithography and other Layered Manufacturing Technologies (LMT) ?
- How does 3D printing compare with other rapid prototyping technologies?
