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How much can you print from 1kg of SLS powder?



SLS 3D printing (Selective Laser Sintering) has revolutionized the way complex three-dimensional objects are created, offering unparalleled freedom of design and versatility in material selection. This groundbreaking technology employs lasers and powdered materials to build objects layer by layer, opening up a world of possibilities for various industries, from prototyping to production.Get more news about china sls 3d printing powder,you can vist our website!

SLS powder is typically supplied in bulk quantities, commonly measured in kilograms or liters. Suppliers tend to offer SLS powders in various package sizes to accommodate different user needs, ranging from small quantities, such as a few kilograms, to larger quantities, such as tens or hundreds of kilograms. The choice of powder quantity depends on the scale of the intended 3D printing projects and the frequency of material usage.

Knowing the printing capacity of 1 kg of SLS powder has numerous benefits. Not only allows the users to optimize resources and better manage costs, but also to better schedule and scale projects, as well as optimize client satisfaction and reduce lead times. The volume of 1 kg of SLS powder can vary depending on the specific material being used (its density) but as a general approximation, 1 kg of SLS powder is often estimated to occupy a volume of approximately 2 to 2.5 liters. The question is: how many parts or how big of a part can this amount of SLS powder print? The answer depends on many factors.

What factors play a role?
The amount that can be printed with 1 kg of SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) powder will largely depend on the specific powder material, part size and complexity, or the desired level of detail. Nevertheless, there are three main factors that should be considered at the time of designing, printing and post-processing, in order to get the most of a given amount of SLS powder in a given project. These factors are:

How much can be 3D printed with 1 kg of SLS powder will be demonstrated on the example of the PA12 Industrial SLS powder by Sinterit and the Lisa X compact SLS 3D printer. Part orientation, pack density, and powder refreshment will be taken into account. These concept will be first explained briefly and then the Sinterit example will be discussed, providing specific printing parameters and final results of how much powder was used.

Part orientation
Part orientation is a critical aspect of SLS 3D printing that significantly impacts the quality of printed parts in terms of surface finish, structural integrity (warping and distortion) and mechanical properties, as well as support requirements. However, part orientation also affects the amount of powder required for the print. The taller the part/arrangement, the more layers are required, and hence the more powder will be used.

Recommendations for part orientation
When printed flat on the long side, a cuboid of 100 x 10 x 10 mm will have only 57-133 layers (depending on the chosen accuracy). But if the same cuboid is twisted 45º only in Y, the number of layers needed to execute the part will increase almost sevenfold. This may seem like a perfect opportunity to save material by choosing a horizontal over a vertical orientation but in doing so, we are risking warping and bending of the part.

As 3D printed parts cool down after being printed, temperature differentials can lead to thermal stress. The corners of a part tend to cool faster than the interior, causing uneven shrinkage. This can result in warping, especially if the cooling happens rapidly or if the material has a high coefficient of thermal expansion.