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What file formats do you accept for SLS quotes?
We accept common 3D model formats including STL, STEP, STP, OBJ, IGES, SLDPRT, and 3MF. Technical drawings with tolerance, material, finish, quantity, and critical dimensions help us provide a more accurate quote.
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What should I consider when designing SLS parts?
Important design factors include wall thickness, holes, clearances, snap-fit features, powder removal, internal channels, surface finish, part orientation, and tolerance requirements.
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Is SLS suitable for low-volume production?
Yes. SLS is suitable for low-volume nylon production because it can produce functional plastic parts without mold tooling, especially for complex geometries, service parts, end-use components, and small-batch production.
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Can SLS parts be dyed or painted?
Yes. SLS nylon parts can be bead blasted, dyed, sanded, painted, fitted with threaded inserts, assembled, and inspected based on project requirements.
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How long does SLS 3D printing take?
Typical SLS lead time is 3–7 days for many prototype and small-batch nylon parts. Lead time may vary depending on part size, quantity, material, finishing, inspection, and packaging requirements.
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What tolerance can SLS 3D printing achieve?
Typical SLS tolerance is around ±0.2–0.3 mm, depending on part size, geometry, wall thickness, material, orientation, powder removal, and post-processing requirements.
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Does SLS 3D printing need support structures?
No. SLS uses surrounding powder to support the part during printing, so traditional support structures are not required. This makes SLS suitable for complex geometries, internal features, and nested production.
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Is SLS stronger than SLA?
SLS is usually better for strong and durable nylon functional parts, while SLA is better for smooth, clear, high-detail resin prototypes and appearance models.
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What materials are available for SLS 3D printing?
Common SLS materials include Nylon PA12, Nylon PA11, glass-filled nylon, flexible SLS materials, and special nylon options for specific performance requirements.
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What is SLS 3D printing best for?
SLS 3D printing is best for strong nylon functional parts, snap-fit components, housings, brackets, jigs, fixtures, robotics parts, and low-volume production components that require durability and design freedom.
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How do I get an SLA 3D printing quote?
Upload your CAD files and share your resin preference, quantity, tolerance, surface finish, and application requirements. Our engineers will review your project and provide resin recommendations, lead time, and quotation details.
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Is SLA suitable for functional prototypes?
Yes, SLA can be used for fit checks, assembly review, limited functional testing, housings, brackets, and product validation samples. Tough resin or high-temperature resin can be selected when better strength or heat resistance is needed.
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What file formats do you accept for SLA quotes?
We accept common 3D model formats including STL, STEP, STP, OBJ, IGES, SLDPRT, and 3MF. Technical drawings with tolerance, material, finish, and quantity details help us provide a more accurate quote.
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Can SLA parts be polished or painted?
Yes. SLA parts can be sanded, polished, painted, clear coated, and assembled. Clear resin parts can be polished or clear coated to improve transparency and presentation quality.
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Is SLA stronger than FDM?
SLA usually provides smoother surfaces and finer details than FDM, while FDM may be better for larger, lower-cost plastic parts. For stronger functional parts, tough resin, SLS, MJF, or CNC machining may be considered depending on application requirements.
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How long does SLA 3D printing take?
Typical SLA lead time is 2–5 days for many prototype parts. Lead time may vary depending on part size, quantity, resin type, surface finish, inspection, and project complexity.
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What tolerance can SLA 3D printing achieve?
Typical SLA tolerance is around ±0.1–0.2 mm, depending on part size, geometry, wall thickness, resin material, orientation, and post-processing requirements.
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Can SLA 3D printing make clear parts?
Yes. Clear resin is available for transparent prototypes, display models, visual testing parts, clear covers, and fluidic demonstration samples. Polishing and clear coating can improve transparency and gloss.
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What materials are available for SLA 3D printing?
SLA uses photopolymer resin materials. Common options include standard resin, tough resin, clear resin, high-temperature resin, flexible resin, and castable resin.
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What is SLA 3D printing best for?
SLA 3D printing is best for smooth resin prototypes, clear parts, appearance models, medical models, product samples, and small detailed components that require high visual quality and fine features.