---
title: "SLS 3D Printing Service | Nylon Production Parts | OpenSpindle"
description: "Get quotes for SLS 3D printed nylon parts from independent shops. Strong, near-isotropic PA12 and PA11 with no supports, for functional prototypes and low-volume production."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing
---

# SLS 3D printing from independent shops

Selective laser sintering fuses nylon powder into strong, near-isotropic parts with no support structures, so complex geometry and dense-nested batches come out clean. Common materials are PA12, PA11, glass-filled nylon, and TPU. Upload a model and hear back from shops running SLS and MJF.

## SLS and MJF shops on OpenSpindle

Real shops running nylon powder-bed printers. See their equipment and get a competitive quote for your project.

[Browse all 3D printing shops](https://openspindle.com/manufacturers?capability=3D%20printing)

## How to design for SLS 3D Printing

SLS parts are supported by the surrounding powder bed, which is why they handle complex geometry with no support marks.

| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Typical tolerance | +/- 0.3% (min +/- 0.3 mm) | As-sintered; tighter on well-controlled machines. |
| Min wall thickness | 0.7 to 1.0 mm | Thinner walls warp or fail to fuse. |
| Min feature size | 0.5 mm | Below the laser spot, fine detail blurs. |
| Support material | none needed | The powder bed supports the part, so there are no supports to remove. |
| Clearance for moving parts | 0.4 to 0.5 mm | Tighter gaps fuse mating parts together. |
| Escape holes (hollow parts) | >= 4 mm, two holes | Let trapped powder drain out of enclosed volumes. |

Typical values from powder datasheets; a shop confirms against its machine and material.

## SLS vs other 3D printing processes

When another process fits better than nylon powder-bed printing.

| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over SLS 3D Printing when |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [FDM / FFF](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/fdm-3d-printing.md) | Cheap prototypes, large parts | Prototype to low volume | You want the lowest cost or a large part and can accept layer lines and weaker Z strength. |
| [MJF](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/mjf-3d-printing.md) | Fine features, faster batches | Low-volume production | You want similar nylon parts with slightly finer detail and faster throughput. |
| [Injection Molding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/injection-molding.md) | High-volume identical plastic parts | 1,000+ | You are past a few hundred parts and can amortize a mold for lower per-part cost. |
| [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md) | Tight tolerance, engineering materials | Prototype to production | You need tighter tolerances, a smoother finish, or a specific engineering-grade material. |

## Industries Served

- Robotics & automation
- Drones & UAV
- Consumer products
- Medical devices
- Industrial / OEM
- Automotive

SLS nylon is common wherever teams need durable, complex parts without tooling.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is SLS 3D printing?

SLS (selective laser sintering) fuses fine nylon powder layer by layer with a laser. The unfused powder supports the part, so it needs no support structures and can print complex, interlocking geometry with strong, near-isotropic properties.

### What materials can SLS print?

The most common is PA12 (nylon 12), plus PA11 for more ductility and impact resistance, glass-filled nylon (PA12-GF) for stiffness and heat resistance, and TPU powder for flexible parts. MJF runs a similar nylon set.

### What tolerance can SLS hold?

Typical SLS tolerance is about +/- 0.3% of the dimension, with a minimum of roughly +/- 0.3 mm. Well-controlled machines hold tighter. Call out critical features so the shop can confirm feasibility.

### SLS vs FDM: which is stronger?

SLS is generally stronger and more uniform because parts are near-isotropic, where FDM is weaker between layers (the Z direction). SLS also handles complex geometry with no supports, while FDM is cheaper and better for large parts.

### Does SLS need support structures?

No. The surrounding powder bed supports the part during the build, so there are no supports to remove and no support marks. That is what lets SLS print lattices, enclosed features, and interlocking assemblies.

## Other Capabilities

- [FDM / FFF 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/fdm-3d-printing.md)
- [3D Printing (overview)](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/3d-printing.md)
- [Injection Molding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/injection-molding.md)
- [CNC Machining](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/cnc-machining.md)

## Get SLS 3D printing quotes

Upload a model and compare quotes from independent SLS and MJF shops.