Building a Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printer!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2024
- What is SLS 3D Printing? • What is Selective Lase...
Instagram: / dr.dflo
Sintratec Kit (USA): geni.us/Sintratec-USA
Sintratec Kit (EU): geni.us/Sintratec-EU
Common tools and supplies: dflo.info/Amazon
This is a one-of-a-kind video that walks through all of the components and theory that go into building a Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D Printer. SLS is a much different 3D printing technology than filament- and resin-based 3D printers that have become increasingly common in the household. While not as popular among hobbyists due to cost, SLS printers are very prominent in the industry because they are capable of printing strong and durable parts out of nylon. SLS printers take powder as a raw material and fuse it together with a laser in a defined geometry. After one layer of powder is fused together another layer is swept over with a blade or roller. This powder handling system and optical setup is very unique to the SLS process and will be explained in detail in this video. The printer built in this video is the Sintratec kit, which as its names suggests comes in a DIY format where you have to assemble everything. This is the most affordable SLS printer that you can buy. Is it worth the $6k asking price? Watch the video to make your own judgement!
I am not affiliated with or sponsored by Sintratec.
Table of Contents:
00:00 - Introduction
00:48 - Unboxing Sintratec Kit
04:20 - Door
06:10 - Enclosure
08:08 - Core
11:12 - Powder Spreader
13:55 - Stages
15:41 - Heating Element
16:53 - Limit Switches
20:06 - Lamps
22:30 - Optics
26:47 - Hat
29:43 - Electronics
32:50 - Wiring the Mains
35:55 - Calibration
37:59 - Nylon
48:08 - Part Nesting
51:03 - Functional Print
53:35 - Post Processing
1:01:59 - Powder Recycle
1:11:42 - SLS vs FFF
1:13:31 - Cons of SLS
1:15:04 - Summary
#3D #Printing #Laser - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
This channel is criminally underrated! That printer is so cool, and I'd imagine with an upgrade to the laser it could even sinter metal
No it can't.
It costs 6k and it's using v wheels and bar stock for the spreader AND threaded rod instead of ball screws? Dang they are cheap.
ya i saw about 400$ IN PARTS, the most expensive being the 2.3w diode at about 130$. I have 2 20win 5w out diode laser engravers
@@chrisfrisch1347 powerful lasers are pretty easy to get these days. For 6k I'd expect way better parts, like that special lense for example.
@@chrisfrisch1347 you could only recently barely buy a resin printer for around that price what are you talking about
hell yeah b/c engineering, design, prototyping, optimization, manufacturing, inventory, logistics, quality assurance, reliability, software, PR, none of those cost any money
@@jesusisalive3227 especially when everything's already made in china
Awesome content David. I have not seen many videos on SLS and this one definitely covers all the bases. Stellar work.
The honesty while putting this together was very refreshing for youtube! It makes for a much more believable review when you point out all the negatives and how they can be fixed. 👍
Crazy impressive man. Just everything is impressive. Your knowledge on these subjects, how you explain and I actually understand, and your results. I've never heard of this type of printing, but that was a very interesting video and well done. I really like watching your videos because they are entertaining, and I really do learn a lot of things. I set up Twin Turn CNC Lathes at my work, and pretty much all your videos better help me understand the components and concepts behind machinery, electronics, and just how things work. Can't thank you enough!
What a great way to present the principles of SLS with the construction of this printer. You did an awesome job weaving in the theory as well as the practicalities of the tech and also how this specific machine is put together to tackle the challenges of SLS. Also, when you were showing the back of the machine and limit switches I couldn't help but see the v-rollers as googly eyes haha
Wow. It wasn't just a build video but a master class in how SLS is done!
Awesome video! I'm excited to see these machines come into the hobbyist level more often.
This is a long one! But definitely stick around until the end to watch this build come together and to see some of the awesome prints the Sintratec kit is capable of. Should you add this printer to your growing collection of CNC machines? I discuss the pros and cons of SLS printers so you can make an educated decision. This technology has special requirements but can produce strong end use parts with minimal post processing.
Growing collection? I don't even have a 3d printer let alone a collection of cnc machines.
That has actually been the major hold up of designing this laser microscope which I am hoping will bring down the cost for researchers. Currently the prices run from $50-100k. I am aiming for a price of $1k but making a precision stage for my prototype by hand is not easy.
@@excitedbox5705 Confocal microscope?
@@DrDFlo Yes. Since Blue Ray laser diodes have gotten very cheap you can get down to about 400nm resolution while also using them for many other things such as direct write lithography. But I also built a maskless UV lithography head that works on the same principle as a SLD printer. I need to get better accuracy/repeatability on the xy stage though for image stitching before I can release them.
Right now after a couple steps across the substrate the alignment is no longer there. I am experimenting with some chemical machining now but so far that only works for thin parts. Ideally I would have a lathe to cut micrometer screws.
@@DrDFlo do you have $100,000 or more to spare? I could build one for you. I’m not even profiting at that price.
I am really wanting to buy one of these kits... i'm curious have you used any metal powders instead of nylon??
Fantastic video! Extremely much information layed down very clearly! You are truly a born teacher. What a huge amount of preparation has gone into this entire video. Complete with graphics and everything has been thoroughly explained and new knowledge can easily be absorbed by the listener!! Thank you so much for your generous sharing!
Dr.D-Flo, excellent video! You should maybe think about incorporating a conical section, your sieve,
and a smaller container in the bottom of your dust collector to get your powder ready quicker for your next print. As usual, your videos are an inspiration to me to create things for my shop. Thanks!!
Great video and well worth the watch. I love to see where technology like this is going and very glad to see it is coming down in price. Ready for an update of Lukes progress too. Dont think I will be adding one of these to my setup anytime soon though, that mess is just too much for me. That is the reason I have not bought a resin printer.
Great overview!
Nice to see you can heat press the threaded inserts into the Nylon Material also.
Dr.D-Flo, every content that you're putting out is captivating and well paced in explanations. Thank you for your generosity for sharing your knowledge with the curious youtubers like me. Be blessed. Salutations from France.
Love it! So much details in all your videos!!! Hey idea for you! How about a sand blast cabinet to sieve your powder and help contain it all then throw a computer fan with weights on it to help vibrate it. It has those built-in gloves, glass window and lights for like 150 at harbor freight
Truly excellent intro to SLS printing. I am pretty familiar with FDM printing. This was great way to see the fundamental technology hands on. Your explanations and tips were spot on. My first impression was that this was a metal cable printer then realized you can use only TPE and PA12. Still pretty awesome. Would love to see a low-cost Metal printing SLS demo.
I bet you with some additional modifications to the laser source and optics, you could gain the ability to sinter metal powder. Aluminum has a melting point of 660°C (1220°F), but keep in mind that the sintering temperature can be quite a bit lower for many metals. Some aluminum alloys and such can be sintered at 590C according to: www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1727
@Brandon Smith maybe with a 30W source... i still doubt it though... the scan speeds would have to be cut to at least a quarter of what they are now... The galvos usually run in a close to resonance mode and changing the scan speed will significantly impact the accuracy of the system.
@@MasterThief117 i work with sls polymer and dmls metal printers and although looking through the window they look like the same process they are quite a way apart in real terms. even this version of sls technology is using workarounds for the diode laser source to work with the plastic (it has to be pigmented here for the laser to be absorbed)- theres also no gas shield - even sls uses nitrogen, dmls uses nitrogen or argon depending on the metal as it oxidises on contact with the laser. then theres the issue of the condensates given off by the process - fancy some spontaneous combustion? Id love the technology to trickle down to enthusiast level too but its a way off yet .
@@MasterThief117 argon is heavyer then air ,so u need some cup like sealed bottom get smart valve that monitor how much liters u can release (let say u need 3 l per print ) ,switch galvo with fiber laser 30w can eat any metal ,and last super expensive metal dust at 160+$ per kg ,after print you need some heated box that can heat up to 900c to fuse metal part and stress out from print ,and bill will go 3k for fibre + some add parts for argon + bottle 3-400 , and heated box you can get one jewelers use for 1.2k and load metal dust and have fun
This is a low cost sls demonstration lmao
Great Video, really comprehensive, gave good look at the issues with the system and some valuable tidbits and tricks with sls printing! Some good tunes in there too. Thanks!
Really really good video, all the important aspects covered with just the right amount of detail. Fantastic job, subscribed!
Can't wait until SLS printers drastically drop in price. FDM and SLA machines used to be expensive many years ago
Printing enthusiasts and engineers have been waiting SO long for it. It opens the doors WIDE open for possibility especially when metal sls is affordable for home gamers.
I checked their website, 6k Is acceptable price. Imagine if we fish most the plastics out from the Oceans, then grid them in fine powder and use it in SLS Printers.
@@tigre3droyce771 grind into powder need another machine.. sigh...
Really great video, loved all the in depth information, very educational! I look forward to seeing how you'll modify the printer
Excellent video! Full of useful information and presented in a fantastic way! Thank you and keep up the good work!
Haven't finished the video, but I love the fact that they included a surge protector.
These are the best 1 hr 16 min I have to spend. One of the finest pieces of content to study the understanding of printers.
Thank you Dr. D-Flo for such amazing content.
No problem man! I appreciate the kind words
Hello Dr.Flo great video and fun to see you build this piece of equipment. when you got to the point of doing " The Initial Commission " i had to pause and Suit up., I was not ready, LOL...for we going places once again Thank You. Great Job
So concise and well presented! A joy to watch. Learned quite a lot also.
The entire 76 minutes were informative and well presented. Your comments on the kit and its quality issues came across objective and fair. This is a big step up from some of your earlier content which was more on the humorous side.
Man I’m getting older... just want to make content that is educational and interesting to me.
Really great explanations all around! Thanks!
This was wonderful. Thank you
Thank you for this huge job!
I learned a lot from your video - excellent basics intro.
I am glad you did it well
Great video. A lot going on. I would suggest purchasing a bead blast cabinet to reclaim the powder. You can reclaim sifted powder from the bottom of the cabinet minimizing all the mess.
Great video! I learned so much about SLS printers
Very cool, I ran SLS machines for a few years in 2003-ish. Fun stuff...it can do so much.
Great project! And a great introduction to SLS along the way!
Watched the whole thing, and was well informed on the technology by the video. I knew the basics of the technology, but this made me realize a bit more of how this kind of 3D-printing is so smart and practical. Can't wait for this technology to drop in price just like FDM did
Great video, you got me hooked during the whole time. I have worked as field services engineer with MJF and you explained pretty well all the powder, heat, nesting issues
Appreciate it man!
Just subbed. You are a smart man no doubt about that and I love the content. I am a retired machinist and foreman and own two ender 3's. When you had problems with the edges of the print area my first thought was they should have heating mats on the 4 sides on the chamber. What do you think? My dream shop would be a Bridgeport mill, metal lathe, surface grinder and all the other needed tools. Great video, keep them coming.
Excellent as always, thank you!
Great! Thank you, finally I understand the process.
You did really good...not an easy build by any standard, well done.
I think using the vibration of the hoover can be used to vibrate the powder true the filter into a cone shape collector underneath the container of your hoover. This way you don't make a mess and automatically separate the useful from the usefulness powder
Add a heatsink on that laser diode, will increase its life span.
Look at the duty cycle. It's hardly powered up. Not a concern.
was quite the interesting look into the this process. Also real easy to see how its price can climb up rapidly. Given the apparent precision of SLS made parts I wonder if they are sometimes the basis for molds used for poured metal processes or even building the metal dies for injection molding systems.
And for some humor at 59:45 "Who are you going to call?" the plasma cutter torch seriously looks like a neutrino wand from the proton pack
Hey David, another great video!
And you would be wise to dump those reed switches, they make up the lowest percentage of switches by number that we had at GM, but were easily the worst at reliability. Simply put, we wouldn't use them unless there was no other option.
Hopefully Sintratec has payed attention, and cares about customer experience, easy for them to remedy these issues, what a great video to help them advance too another level, or too end up another dumpster fire!!..Well done!!
Very Informative, Great Job!
Nice demonstration and assembly of SLS Printer as well as explanation about SLS and manufactured product from SLS Printer
Learning so much with your videos about 3D! Regards from Spain!
Exceptional clarity. Thank you.
Loved it man
@Dr. D-Flo - TIPP: u gotta roll the zyclone container while u pour out the powder, when u use a relatively small container as u did, in order not to spill that much nylon powder :)
used this method with any high viscosity fluid and solids and it worked like a charme so far (works with grounded coffee as well)
Thanks! I appreciate the tip and will try that out 👍
Wow and I thought I couldn't sit through MKBHD's 50 min iPhone video, but I just sat through 75 mins without even taking a break! Super informative. For some reason though, I heard "SLS" and saw the orange window and thought "You made a metal laser printer?!".
Yah the terminology for powder bed fusion is not the clearest. Typically, SLS is for plastic powders and SLM or DMLM is used for metal.
Incredible video!
I feel like Dr.D-Flow is a perfect match for Battlebots. I hope this plants a seed. I look forward to a 2 hour long construction video.
D
very good content! i like that you have a deep technical understanding overall. notes: with the seived oversize powder u can put that in a ball mill to break them down further and reuse. i belive in reducing plastic waste. question: what insulation is that? since the machine is at 150c are you going to burn yourself if you touch it while its running, near the corners where there is no insulation? the whole frame is going to expand to the tune of 1mm by thermal expansion, putting stresses on the frame, which can lead to deformation of the frame, i wanted to know if this is accounted for? Thanks in advance , for i've asked quite a lot of questions. keep making good content. cheers!
Nice work! This printer is on my list now lol. Funnels are your friend.
Would be sick if you could do material stress tests, and compare them to something equivalent on a FFF. Maybe send parts to CNCkitchen?
I was all into these until I had some professionally printed parts done and compared them to my FDM and Resin prints.... Nope... no advantage in mechanical strength over FDM, and worse finish than Resin.
@@spinnetti Has many advantages.
Awesom video. Enjoyed it a lot.
You have a great way of explaining content to your viewers. And yes, a funnel would be handy lol. I don't know that a $6,000 price tag is really necessary though. I enjoy your videos!
i dont often comment on videos but i am currently studying level 3 engineering and your video has been very informative for my additive manufacturing assignment, thanks a very well execute video.
nice Dr. D flo you rock
In reference to your comment about the quality of the solder points on the laser; I'm an industry professional in additive (worked as a lead tech for an OEM for a commercial grade DLP printer for 5 years, now as a field engineer in SLA/SLS) you would be appalled at the quality of some of the components that come out of the factory in commercial and industrial grade machines, pushing the price $500,000 price points, before turnkey installations.
But I can guarantee you that the majority of the cost of that printer is focused around the optical plate and the laser itself. I am somewhat surprised at the quality of the diode though. Especially with the lack of the F-Theta lens. (Though that's usually why companies stay at the lower build envelope size, as the logic involved in rectifying the focus during a build is where most of the complexity in these machines comes into play)
Excellent tutorial, excellent technician / engineer!
That torch mount is so cool!
Thank you for sharing, I am also making sls 3D printer, the first model is a large-size industrial-grade machine, is currently in the stage of debugging laser mirror, will be completed by the end of this year. Later I'll upload some of the production process to TH-cam, and I plan to start making desktop-grade sls3D printers next year at a lower price
Great video, I didn't expect this kit to be such a box of parts!
I guess I'm used to kits that have some things preassembled haha
Only crituque I have is using an impact driver instead of cordless drill, good way to strip the thread off the screws or strip the head, they're overkill for just tightening screws.
Excellent video. I will get one of these. Wish the resolution can be higher. Question, how come inert gas is not used?
I used to do a lot of SLS printing with Shapeways until I got my own resin printers. The detail is so much better, even on a low end printer. I don't know why I would go back to SLS.
IIRC SLS prints have greater material properties being more durable and less brittle than SLA prints but if all you're looking for is high detail and surface finish SLA would definitely be the better contender.
Corection on 24:08
The actual "motor" sits in the silver part of the galvo. It is a permanent magnet glued on the shaft driven by 2 coils.
The black thing houses sensors for the closed loop system. In most cases there are a couple photodiodes inside, some infrared leds and a "cut out disc" that is connected to the shaft.
PS. The optical system can be made preaty cheap you can get the galvo for about ~200$ some time you can get 30kpps glavos for under 100$ from china. The laser diode would be 2-30$ depending on the Wattage, the holder you can probly diy, the correction optics are just prisms because blue lasers make a line/ rectangle and you correct it so it makes a "quadrat"(don't know the english word for it right now, it's german)
Lenses are cheap when you go with standard sizes....
And for larger build volume you can copy the beambrush technoligy by Pangolin Laser systems. With that you change the focus with a galvo or use a longer focal lenght...
I suggest for sieving that you use a scoop to go from the huge container into the sieve, and have the sieves sit in the smaller translucent container. You should end up with a lot less airborne and mess.
Nice demonstration, especially good to show how messy of a process this is. I definately prefer to order SLS parts from professional manufacturers when FFF does not cut it and it's required for a project. Keeps my workshop clean, and with the cost of that printer alone i can buy quite a lot of parts.
THANKS! Geart video！
Felicitari!
It was at 8:29 that I decided to like this video and my respect for you has skyrocketed. You are using Precision Ground 123 blocks and precision ground squares. 👌 NOW you have my full attention.
Thanks, that you showed us your building process. If you need something from Switzerland let me know. I'm living there ;)
gruezi miteinand
@@albatraouz7748 Grüezi
Great work! Thank you for the detailed workflow.
Thank you for making this kit! Sintratec is the only company that is trying to make this technology as accessible as possible. Cheers!
@@DrDFlo Sinterit makes a similar machine called Lisa, and Formlabs has the Fuse 1. Sintratec is definately not the only company that tries to build and sell Desktop SLS machines...
@@ProtonOne11 The Fuse 1 starts at over $18k. The Lisa doesn't even list the price for just the base model, so it's probably over $15k as well.
He said "as accessible as possible," so at the ~$7k price point, he's not wrong.
You got me at, "let's build something using lasers!" or at least that is what I heard in my head! Lol
Wild upload!
Legitimate desktop machine.
I use Nylon 6,66 blend on my FDM printer...
It would be awesome to see a full flurry of comparisons between the different printing styles. Maybe collaborate with one of those European TH-cam channels and send them test prints. You know, they have their standardised 3D print.
I’d love too see that data set.🤓🤜🏼🤛🏼🇦🇺🍀🍀🍀
Maybe add a couple of those aluminum encased resistors and independent temperature controllers for the top of the front and dump sides of the print bin. It might help those two sides.
Instantly subscribed!
Amazing video!! can this do castable resin?
Really excellent video, cheers for the in-depth look at the entire machine, the build and the logistics of using it. Very helpful for prospective buyers! Having built the kit, do you think it would be possible to add in a few more heaters and thermistors (controlled externally perhaps) around the build chamber? It seems that a few smaller heaters placed strategically could help eliminate some of the cold spots, since right now it looks like it is relying on that big one in the back to get everything evenly heated. Definitely looks like you could slide an f-theta in there if the laser platform was raised up a bit.
Great stuff, thanks!
You should join the OpenFuse discord. I’m upgrading the printer now with a CO2 laser, new larger galvos, and f-theta lens. More heating elements in the works too!
@@DrDFlo will join, thanks for the tip! The hackability of the machine definitely seems like a nice benefit!
This printer is pretty interesting. I've been looking to get an inexpensive 3D printer that's capable of printing high temp materials like PEEK or Ultem. This would make a really awesome enclosure for a custom build!
super project ✌️
i would add a plasic bag in the dust collector.. makes more easy to get the pouder out... close bag.. make a hole and done :)
also you might be able to use the wind power to sift through the pouder while collecting :)
I'm sure we will see on the channel a vibrating sieve holder to help separate the chunks from the old powder to make it a lesser dirty job, even just attaching a sieve to a multitool blade and multitool would work.
About an hour and a half to warm up, two hours to cool down, but still faster than my Ender 3 if I were to print something constrained to that build volume of this printer. The price tag... mmm... Expensive, but if quality is your game, then probably good.
Forgetting the price, ignoring the cost to keep it running, I can't just ignore the mess. I don't like high maintenance anything, and getting a print done, then having to sift through the used powder really isn't for me.
All that said, EXTREMELY extremely useful and VERY awesome information and presentation all around.
I hit the subscribe button.
We made some fine powder grinding down material similar to sea shells.
We took the shells into a machine to blast it. The powder came out isn't extremely fine.
So it went through a sieving process. The result isn't the best as sieve holes cannot be too small
or it will be very slow. If sieve hole is bigger, the powder quality goes down.
After some fiddling, we flip the sieve upside down and use air to blow the powder, the finer dust
will pass through the sieve easily. The bigger pieces usually fall down without blocking the sieve holes,
they will be filled back to the grinding machine to blast again.
You are a very talented guy, superb presentations. Do you still use that fail switch on the torch, maybe the magnets can become the switch: All brilliant anyway. :)
Potential solution for separation of powder after print completion: Acoustic vibration? If you used a speaker to vibrate the parts, that may loosen the extra powder easier than manually poking at delicate structures.
Hi D, so when are you going to super size it???
Bro, that intro song is LIT 😮
5:44 It looks like you forgot a tube of something in your door when you put the faceplate on.
I came here to post the same thing but I watched it again and if you look to the left side of the screen you'll see it appear suddenly on the table when he flips ahead a bit to the door being complete.
I think he realized what he did.
Enjoyed the video.
Thats a nice little machine.
Gilbeaux's need to be tuned with a signal generator as well. It's fairly simple process of bringing them into have a nice Square wave
Diode beams can be circular with fast axis corrective optics mounted inside the package. This is usually reserved to very high end diodes that you don't typically buy online though.. custom stuff and half a million dollar runs etc.
thanks for good content
Amazing
Hi, EOS operator here. The heated chamber actually isn’t really meant for baking the moisture out of the powder. You kind of want the powder to be “wet” as static powder is your biggest enemy in (industrial) sls printing. We keep our new powder in open air for at least 24 hours before usage and use a humidifier in the room