Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) services from Shapeways provide a proven additive manufacturing solution for producing prototypes and end-use drone and robotics components. As a powder bed fusion technology, SLS uses a computer-controlled CO₂ laser to fuse successive layers of polymer powder, building parts layer by layer until the final structure is complete. The process is widely recognized for its ability to manufacture complex geometries and structures with moving or interlocking features, making it a valuable option for engineers and designers developing functional components for unmanned and robotic systems.
Shapeways offers SLS manufacturing in materials including Nylon 12, Nylon 11, and TPU, each providing a different balance of strength, flexibility, durability, and impact resistance. Because unsintered powder surrounds and stabilizes parts during production, dedicated support structures are not required, enabling efficient fabrication of intricate designs. The technology also supports the nesting of multiple parts within a single build, allowing hundreds or thousands of components to be produced simultaneously. Suitable for both prototyping and production applications, SLS delivers repeatable results and stable mechanical properties for a wide variety of drone and robotics development projects.
