AM Powder Bed Technologies

Table of Contents

AM Powder Bed Technologies

Selective Laser Sintering vs. Multi-Jet Fusion

Discover the fascinating realm of powder bed additive manufacturing, which involves utilizing cutting-edge selective laser sintering and multi-jet fusion technologies. These advanced techniques allow for the precise and efficient creation of complex 3D-printed objects, opening up a world of possibilities for manufacturing and design.

Selective Laser Sintering
Laser Sintering (LS) Component

Selective laser sintering is an innovative and advanced additive manufacturing process that utilizes state-of-the-art laser technology to fuse a carefully selected blend of highly refined powdered materials into exceptional 3D objects. Due to its precision and versatility, this cutting-edge process is used in a wide range of industries and applications. With the ability to produce incredibly intricate and complex designs and manipulate the physical properties of the final product, selective laser sintering is revolutionizing the field of manufacturing and paving the way for the future of design and engineering.

Multi-Jet Fusion
Prototek Capabilities_Multi-Jet Fusion

Multi-Jet Fusion is an versatile additive manufacturing technology that utilizes powdered thermoplastic material, liquid binding agent, and infrared energy to fuse layers to create high-quality, functional parts that are both durable and efficient. This cutting-edge process has revolutionized the manufacturing industry and paved the way for unprecedented progress in the medical and aerospace engineering fields. With its ability to produce complex, intricate designs with exceptional precision and speed, Multi-Jet Fusion is a game-changer in advanced manufacturing.

Comparing these powder bed technologies.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) are two groundbreaking additive manufacturing techniques that have recently revolutionized the manufacturing industry. These techniques use distinct processes and offer unique capabilities, benefiting businesses across different sectors.

Selective laser sintering uses high-powered lasers to fuse layers of powdered materials, resulting in highly accurate and durable finished products. On the other hand, multi-jet fusion utilizes a combination of heat, pressure, and UV light to combine layers of powdered materials, resulting in faster production times and enhanced material properties.

Regarding surface finish and part accuracy, SLS and MJF create products with unique characteristics. SLS typically produces parts with a slightly rougher surface finish due to the powder-based process, but it can achieve greater part accuracy than MJF. MJF, on the other hand, generally produces parts with a smoother surface finish due to the liquid-based process. However, the accuracy of MJF parts may be slightly lower compared to SLS. It is essential to consider the specific application and requirements when choosing between these two technologies for 3D printing.

By embracing these cutting-edge technologies, businesses can achieve significant cost savings, increase efficiency in their production processes, and enjoy greater design flexibility. From aerospace and automotive manufacturing to medical device production and beyond, the potential applications for these techniques are virtually endless. The ability to create complex and intricate designs with incredible precision, selective laser sintering, and multi-jet fusion genuinely changes how we think about manufacturing. If you want to stay at the forefront of your industry, it’s time to explore the possibilities these exciting new technologies offer.

Powder Bed Technologies in a Glance

Selective Laser Sintering
AM Technology_Laser Sintering

OEM: EOS & 3D Systems

Max Build Area: 26 x 13.5 x 21.8 in

Lead Time: 3 – 5 Days

Material: Fire Retardant Nylon 11, Glass Filled Nylon 12, Nylon 12, Ultrasint® TPU 88A

Tolerances: First inch ± 0.005 in and additional inches ± 0.002 in/in

Multi-Jet Fusion
Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Technology_Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

OEM: HP

Max Build Area: 14.96 x 11.18 x 14.96 in

Lead Time: 1 – 3 Days

Material: HP Nylon 12 and HP Nylon 12 GB

Tolerances: First inch ± 0.010 in and additional inches ± 0.003 in/in

Selective Laser Sintering
Multi-Jet Fusion
Powder Bed AM Technology Laser Sintering (LS)
Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing Technology_Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

OEM

EOS & 3D Systems

HP

Max Build Area

26 x 13.5 x 21.8 in

14.96 x 11.18 x 14.96 in

Lead Time

3 – 5 Days

2 – 4 Days

Tolerances

First inch ± 0.005 in

Add. inches ± 0.002 in/in

First inch ± 0.010 in
Add. inches ± 0.003 in/in

Design Recommendations

Selective Laser Sintering

Connecting & Moving: Connecting 0.006 in and moving 0.012 in

Escape Holes: 0.04 in

Embossing & Engraving: Width 0.04 in and height/depth 0.04 in

Holes & Openings: 0.02 in

Horizontal Spans: Supports not Required

Minimum Features: 0.03 in

Pin Diameter: 0.02 in

Supports & Overhangs: Supports not Required

Walls (supported): 0.03 in

Walls (unsupported): Supports not Required

Multi-Jet Fusion

Connecting & Moving: Connecting 0.006 in and moving 0.012 in

Escape Holes: 0.04 in

Embossing & Engraving: Width 0.04 in and height/depth 0.04 in

Holes & Openings: 0.03 in

Horizontal Spans: Supports not Required

Minimum Features: 0.03 in

Pin Diameter: 0.02 in

Supports & Overhangs: Supports not Required

Walls (supported): 0.02 in

Walls (unsupported): Supports not Required

Selective Laser Sintering
Multi-Jet Fusion

Connecting & Moving Parts

Connecting: 0.006 in
Moving: 0.012 in
Connecting: 0.006 in
Moving: 0.012 in

Escape Holes

0.04 in

0.04 in

Embossing & Engraving

Width: 0.04 in
Height/Depth: 0.04 in

Width: 0.04 in
Height/Depth: 0.04 in

Holes & Openings

0.02 in

0.03 in

Horizontal Spans

Supports not Required

Supports not Required

Minimum Features

0.03 in

0.03 in

Pin Diameter

0.02 in

0.02 in

Supports & Overhangs

Supports not Required

Supports not Required

Walls (Supported)

0.03 in

0.02 in

Walls (Unsupported)

Supports not Required

Supports not Required

Finishing Levels

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF)

Natural –

SLS | Matte, white finish.

MJF | Matte, grey finish.

Standard –

SLS | NA

MJF | Matte finish dyed black.

Tumbled – The surface is smoothed with a media for an eggshell finish.

Smoothed & Sealed – Bead-blasted and vapor-smoothed for a sealed, satin, watertight finish. 

Dyed – 

SLS | Dyed, please specify the color.

MJF | NA

Smoothed, Sealed, & Dyed – Vapor-sealed and dyed (specify color) for a satin, watertight finish.

Primed Exterior – Exterior (cosmetic) surfaces are smoothed and coated in grey primer.

Painted – Parts are smoothed, primed, and painted (provide drawing with paint specification).

Custom – Custom finish. Please fill out our engineer-assisted quote form if your project requires special finishing.

Selective Laser Sintering
Multi-Jet Fusion

Natural

Matte, white finish.

Matte, grey finish.

Standard

NA

Matte finish dyed black.

Tumbled

The surface is smoothed with a media for an eggshell finish.

The surface is smoothed with a media for an eggshell finish.

Smoothed & Sealed

Bead-blasted and vapor smoothed for a sealed, satin watertight finish. Check out our automated post-processing capabilities.

Bead-blasted and vapor smoothed for a sealed, satin watertight finish.

Dyed

Dyed, please specify the color.

NA

Smoothed, Sealed, & Dyed

Vapor-sealed and dyed (specify color) for a satin, watertight finish.

Vapor-sealed and dyed (specify color) for a satin, watertight finish.

Primed Exterior

Exterior (cosmetic) surfaces are smoothed and coated in grey primer.

Exterior (cosmetic) surfaces are smoothed and coated in grey primer.

Painted

Parts are smoothed, primed, and painted (provide drawing with paint specifications).

Parts are smoothed, primed, and painted (provide drawing with paint specifications).

Custom

Custom finish. Please fill out our engineer-assisted quote form if your project requires special finishing.

Custom finish. Please fill out our engineer-assisted quote form if your project requires special finishing.

Are you ready to start your project?

FAQs

What are the similarities between selective laser sintering and multi-jet fusion?

Selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) are both additive manufacturing techniques that utilize powdered materials. They share similarities in their layer-by-layer build process, ability to produce complex geometries, and suitability for various engineering-grade materials. Both technologies offer high precision and repeatability, making them valuable options for industrial applications.

What are the differences between selective laser sintering and multi-jet fusion?
Selective laser sintering (SLS) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) are both additive manufacturing techniques, but they differ in their approach. SLS uses a laser to selectively sinter powdered materials, while MJF employs a fusing agent and infrared heat to bind the powder. These distinct processes result in parts with varying surface finishes, mechanical properties, and production speeds, making them suitable for different applications.

The content on this blog post is for informational purposes only. Prototek does not make any declaration or guarantee, whether expressed or implied, regarding the information’s accuracy, completeness, or validity. Any performance parameters, geometric tolerances, specific design features, quality and types of materials, or processes should not be assumed to represent what will be delivered by third-party suppliers or manufacturers through our network. It’s crucial to note that buyers seeking quotes for parts are responsible for defining the specific requirements for their project.

Standard Drill Bit Sizes

Drill Size

Imperial

Metric

#107

0.0019 in

0.0483 mm

0.05 mm

0.0020 in

0.0500 mm

#106

0.0023 in

0.0584 mm

#105

0.0027 in

0.0686 mm

#104

0.0031 in

0.0787 mm

#103

0.0035 in

0.0889 mm

#102

0.0039 in

0.0991 mm

0.1 mm

0.0039 in

0.1000 mm

#101

0.0043 in

0.1092 mm

#100

0.0047 in

0.1194 mm

#99

0.0051 in

0.1295 mm

#98

0.0055 in

0.1397 mm

#97

0.0059 in

0.1499 mm

#96

0.0063 in

0.1600 mm

#95

0.0067 in

0.1702 mm

#94

0.0071 in

0.1803 mm

#93

0.0075 in

0.1905 mm

0.2 mm

0.0079 in

0.2000 mm

#92

0.0079 in

0.2007 mm

#91

0.0083 in

0.2108 mm

#90

0.0087 in

0.2210 mm

#89

0.0091 in

0.2311 mm

#88

0.0095 in

0.2413 mm

#87

0.0100 in

0.2540 mm

#86

0.0105 in

0.2667 mm

#85

0.0110 in

0.2794 mm

#84

0.0115 in

0.2921 mm

0.3 mm

0.0118 in

0.3000 mm

#83

0.0120 in

0.3048 mm

#82

0.0125 in

0.3175 mm

#81

0.0130 in

0.3302 mm

#80

0.0135 in

0.3429 mm

#79

0.0145 in

0.3680 mm

1/64 in

0.0156 in

0.3969 mm

0.4 mm

0.0158 in

0.4000 mm

#78

0.0160 in

0.4064 mm

#77

0.0180 in

0.4572 mm

0.5 mm

0.0197 in

0.5000 mm

#76

0.0200 in

0.5080 mm

#75

0.0210 in

0.5334 mm

#74

0.0225 in

0.5715 mm

0.6 mm

0.0236 in

0.6000 mm

#73

0.0240 in

0.6069 mm

#72

0.0250 in

0.6350 mm

#71

0.0260 in

0.6604 mm

0.7 mm

0.0276 in

0.7000 mm

#70

0.0280 in

0.7112 mm

#69

0.0292 in

0.7417 mm

#68

0.0310 in

0.7874 mm

1/32 in

0.0313 in

0.7938 mm

0.8 mm

0.0315 in

0.8000 mm

#67

0.0320 in

0.8128 mm

#66

0.0330 in

0.8382 mm

#65

0.0350 in

0.8890 mm

0.9 mm

0.0354 in

0.9000 mm

#64

0.0360 in

0.9144 mm

#63

0.0370 in

0.9398 mm

#62

0.0380 in

0.9652 mm

#61

0.0390 in

0.9906 mm

1 mm

0.0394 in

1.0000 mm

#60

0.0400 in

1.0160 mm

#59

0.0410 in

1.0414 mm

#58

0.0420 in

1.0668 mm

#57

0.0430 in

1.0922 mm

1.1 mm

0.0433 in

1.1000 mm

#56

0.0465 in

1.1811 mm

3/64 in

0.0469 in

1.1906 mm

1.2 mm

0.0472 in

1.2000 mm

1.3 mm

0.0512 in

1.3000 mm

#55

0.0520 in

1.3208 mm

#54

0.0550 in

1.3970 mm

1.4 mm

0.0551 in

1.4000 mm

1.5 mm

0.0591 in

1.5000 mm

#53

0.0595 in

1.5113 mm

1/16 in

0.0625 in

1.5875 mm

1.6 mm

0.0630 in

1.6000 mm

#52

0.0635 in

1.6129 mm

1.7 mm

0.0669 in

1.7000 mm

#51

0.0670 in

1.7018 mm

#50

0.0700 in

1.7780 mm

1.8 mm

0.0709 in

1.8000 mm

#49

0.0730 in

1.8542 mm

1.9 mm

0.0748 in

1.9000 mm

#48

0.0760 in

1.9304 mm

5/64 in

0.0781 in

1.9844 mm

#47

0.0785 in

1.9939 mm

2 mm

0.0787 in

2.0000 mm

#46

0.0810 in

2.0574 mm

#45

0.0820 in

2.0828 mm

2.1 mm

0.0827 in

2.1000 mm

#44

0.0860 in

2.1844 mm

2.2 mm

0.0866 in

2.2000 mm

#43

0.0890 in

2.2606 mm

2.3 mm

0.0906 in

2.3000 mm

#42

0.0935 in

2.3749 mm

3/32 in

0.0938 in

2.3813 mm

2.4 mm

0.0945 in

2.4000 mm

#41

0.0960 in

2.4384 mm

#40

0.0980 in

2.4892 mm

2.5 mm

0.0984 in

2.5000 mm

#39

0.0995 in

2.5273 mm

#38

0.1015 in

2.5781 mm

2.6 mm

0.1024 in

2.6000 mm

#37

0.1040 in

2.6416 mm

2.7 mm

0.1063 in

2.7000 mm

#36

0.1065 in

2.7051 mm

7/64 in

0.1094 in

2.7781 mm

#35

0.1100 in

2.7940 mm

2.8 mm

0.1102 in

2.8000 mm

#34

0.1110 in

2.8194 mm

#33

0.1130 in

2.8702 mm

2.9 mm

0.1142 in

2.9000 mm

#32 

0.1160 in

2.9464 mm

3 mm

0.1181 in

3.0000 mm

3.1 mm

0.1221 in

3.1000 mm

1/8 in

0.1250 in

3.1750 mm

3.2 mm

0.1260 in

3.2000 mm

#30

0.1285 in

3.2639 mm

3.3 mm

0.1299 in

3.3000 mm

3.4 mm

0.1339 in

3.4000 mm

#29

0.1360 in

3.4544 mm

9/64 in

0.1406 in

3.5719 mm

5/32 in

0.1563 in

3.9688 mm

11/64 in

0.1719 in

4.3656 mm

3/16 in

0.1875 in

4.7625 mm

13/64 in

0.2031 in

5.1594 mm

7/32 in

0.2188 in

5.5563 mm

15/64 in

0.2344 in

5.9531 mm

1/4 in

0.2500 in

6.3500 mm

17/64 in

0.2656 in

6.7469 mm

9/32 in

0.2813 in

7.1438 mm

19/64 in

0.2969 in

7.5406 mm

5/16 in

0.3125 in

7.9375 mm

21/64 in

0.3281 in

8.3344 mm

11/32 in

0.3438 in

8.7313 mm

23/64 in

0.3594 in

9.1281 mm

3/8 in

0.3750 in

9.5250 mm

25/64 in

0.3906 in

9.9219 mm

13/32 in

0.4063 in

10.3188 mm

27/64 in

0.4219 in

10.7156 mm

7/16 in

0.4375 in

11.1125 mm

29/64 in

0.4531 in

11.5094 mm

15/32 in

0.4688 in

11.9063 mm

31/64 in

0.4844 in

12.3031 mm

1/2 in

0.5 in

12.700 mm

33/64 in

0.5156 in

13.0969 mm

17/32 in

0.5313 in

13.4938 mm

35/64 in

0.5469 in

13.8906 mm

9/16 in

0.5625 in

14.2875 mm

37/64 in

0.5781 in

14.6844 mm

19/32 in

0.5938 in

15.0813 mm

39/64 in

0.6094 in

15.4781 mm

5/8 in

0.6250 in

15.8750 mm

41/64 in

0.6406 in

16.2719 mm

43/64 in

0.6719 in

17.0656 mm

11/16 in

0.6875 in

17.4625 mm

45/64 in

0.7031 in

17.8594 mm

23/32 in

0.7188 in

18.2563 mm

47/64 in

0.7344 in

18.6531 mm

3/4 in

0.7500 in

19.0500 mm

49/64 in

0.7656 in

19.4469 mm

25/32 in

0.7813 in

19.8438 mm

51/64 in

0.7969 in

20.2406 mm

13/16 in

0.8125 in

20.6375 mm

53/64 in

0.8281 in

21.0344 mm

27/32 in

0.8438 in

21.4313 mm

55/64 in

0.8594 in

21.8281 mm

7/8 in

0.8750 in

22.2250 mm

57/64 in

0.8906 in

22.6219 mm

29/32 in

0.9063 in

23.0188 mm

21/23 in

0.9130 in

23.1913 mm

59/64 in

0.9219 in

23.4156 mm

15/16 in

0.9375 in

23.8125 mm

61/64 in

0.9531 in

24.2094 mm

31/32 in

0.9688 in

24.6063 mm

63/64 in

0.9844 in

25.0031 mm

1 in

1.0000 in

25.4000 mm

1 1/64 in

1.0156 in

25.7969 mm

1 1/32 in

1.0313 in

26.1938 mm

1 3/64 in

1.0469 in

26.5906 mm

1 1/16 in

1.0625 in

26.9875 mm

1 5/64 in

1.0781 in

27.3844 mm

1 3/32 in

1.0938 in

27.7813 mm

1 7/64 in

1.1094 in

28.1781 mm

1 1/8 in

1.1250 in

28.5750 mm

1 9/64 in

1.1406 in

28.9719 mm

1 5/32 in

1.1563 in

29.3688 mm

1 11/64 in

1.1719 in

29.7656 mm

1 3/16 in

1.1875 in

30.1625 mm

1 13/64 in

1.2031 in

30.5594 mm

1 7/32 in

1.2188 in

30.9563 mm

1 15/64 in

1.2344 in

31.3531 mm

1 1/4 in

1.2500 in

31.7500 mm

1 17/64 in

1.2656 in

32.1469 mm

1 9/32 in

1.2813 in

32.5438 mm

1 19/64 in

1.2969 in

32.9406 mm

1 5/16 in

1.3125 in

33.3375 mm

1 21/64 in

1.3281 in

33.7344 mm

1 11/32 in

1.3438 in

34.1313 mm

1 23/64 in

1.3594 in

34.5281 mm

1 3/8 in

1.3750 in

34.9250 mm

1 25/64 in

1.3906 in

35.3219 mm

1 13/32 in

1.4063 in

35.7188 mm

1 27/64 in

1.4219 in

36.1156 mm

1 7/16 in

1.4375 in

36.5125 mm

1 29/64 in

1.4531 in

36.9094 mm

1 15/32 in

1.4688 in

37.3063 mm

1 31/64 in

1.4844 in

37.7031 mm

1 1/2 in

1.5000 in

38.1000 mm