MJF Vs SLS: Comparing 3D Printing Technologies

Additive manufacturing has undeniably transformed the way businesses are developing prototypes and producing end-use parts. Instead of relying solely on those traditional manufacturing methods, companies can now create pretty complex components using this technology. And they can do it with impressive precision and speed as well as material efficiency. There are, however, different 3D printing technologies available nowadays, with two of them being most widely used for creating durable plastic parts.

The two in question are known as Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). They do share some similarities, but they also differ in several important aspects. What we are going to do right now is compare MJF vs SLS, hoping to help you understand the differences and figure out which method would work best for you. So, without any kind of additional ado, let us get started.

What Is Multi Jet Fusion?

Let us begin with defining the first method. Multi Jet Fusion, or MJF, is a powder-based 3D printing technology. The process begins with a thin layer of polymer powder being spread across the actual build platform. The printer, instead of using laser, deposits specialised fusing and detailing agents onto the selected areas of the powder. Then, heat is applied across the whole build area, which causes the treated regions to fuse into solid material.

As you may have guessed, the process is then repeated one layer at a time until the finished part is complete. The entire layers are processed simultaneously, so MJF is known for relatively fast production speeds. Furthermore, it is also known for consistent part quality.

What Is Selective Laser Sintering?

What about the second method we have mentioned? Selective Laser Sintering, or SLS, is also a powder-based additive manufacturing technique. It also begins with a layer of polymer powder. But instead of applying chemical agents, high-powered lasers are used to selectively fuse the powder where the digital design specifies it. Read more about all of it.

Once one layer is completed, another layer of powder is applied, and the process starts all over until the part is fully built. SLS has long been used in industrial manufacturing. But it still remains one of the most popular and the most established technologies for creating functional plastic components.

What Is Similar?

Now, for you to be able to better understand these methods and decide which one could be right for your particular projects, what you first want is to understand both the similarities and the differences. Let us begin with similarities. The technologies operate differently, but they do have some important characteristics in common.

For one thing, they both use powdered polymer materials. Then, they both work by building parts layer by layer. Moving on, they don’t require dedicated support structures, and they are known for allowing complex geometries and producing strong functional components. We also cannot fail to mention that they reduce material waste compared to a lot of subtractive manufacturing methods.

What is Different?

Okay, but what exactly are the differences? When you take a look at these technologies, or perhaps some other 3D printing technologies talked about at https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/06/3d-printing-technologies-explained/, you will realise that they all allow engineers to design complex parts that would be difficult, or even impossible to create using those conventional methods. But these two methods certainly have some differences you should know about.

For one thing, there is the speed, probably one of the biggest differences to consider. MJF usually completes the builds faster because it processes entire layers at once. SLS, on the other hand, traces each feature with a laser, which may require more time, depending on the complexity and the size of the build. If you have a business that produces larger quantities of parts, then faster production may be essential for you, improving turnaround times and the overall manufacturing efficiency.

Another important consideration is the surface finish. Those parts created using the MJF method typically have a smoother and a more uniform surface directly after printing. This further means that a lot of components will require minimal post-processing before use, depending on the actual application. On the other hand, SLS parts often have a slightly rougher texture due to the laser sintering process. Both methods can create attractive finished parts after some additional processing, such as polishing, bead blasting, dyeing, or coating.

When it comes to dimensional accuracy, both methods offer an excellent one when operated correctly. The same goes for those mechanical properties, as both MJF and SLS can produce strong and functional parts suitable for a wide range of applications. Yet, MJF parts are known for exhibiting more uniform mechanical properties throughout the finished component, thanks to the way heat is distributed during the actual build process.

Material options can differ too, with MJF commonly using engineering-grade nylon materials and SLS supporting nylon materials while at the same time offering additional speciality polymers. Both technologies offer the design freedom that you may absolutely appreciate. So, instead of asking which technology is better, you should actually ask which is better suited for your specific project.

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