Eight Manufacturing Processes
Inquire About Processes
SLS / MJF
Selective Laser Sintering / Multi‑Jet Fusion. Powder‑bed fusion process requiring no support structures, ideal for complex‑geometry parts and low‑volume end‑use production.
Equipment: Formlabs Fuse1+, Farsoon STAR P2552
SLA / DLP / LCD
Vat‑photopolymerization process. UV light cures liquid resin to deliver superior surface finish and fine details, suited for appearance validation, precision prototypes and medical models.
Equipment: Formlabs Form 4 / Form 3+
SLM
Selective Laser Melting. Full‑melting metal powder‑bed process with density above 99.5%. Suitable for complex metal structural parts, conformal cooling molds and lightweight components.
Equipment: Farsoon FS271M / FS350M
CNC Machining
Precision CNC machining. 3‑axis / 5‑axis milling and turning‑milling composite machining with tolerance up to ±0.01mm. For high‑precision end‑parts and molds in metal and engineering plastics.
Capability: 3‑axis / 5‑axis CNC machining centers
Silicone Vacuum Casting
Vacuum casting with silicone molds. Using 3D‑printed masters to produce silicone molds for PU casting, perfect for fast replication of 10‑50 functional parts in small batches.
Capability: Vacuum casting machine / Two‑component PU materials
PolyJet
Multi‑material jetting 3D printing. Single‑run production of full‑color, soft‑hard composite and transparent parts. Ideal for high‑fidelity appearance prototypes and medical teaching models.
Equipment: Stratasys J‑Series
FDM
Fused Deposition Modeling. Thermoplastic filament is deposited layer‑by‑layer. Low material cost and high mechanical strength for large‑size prototypes, jigs & fixtures and durable functional parts.
Capability: Industrial‑grade FDM printers
Surface Post‑Treatment
Professional post‑processing services, including grinding & polishing, sandblasting, dyeing, vapor smoothing, painting, electroplating and screen printing, to enhance part aesthetics and functional performance.
Capability: Sandblasting / Polishing / Dyeing / Painting / Screen Printing
Popular Formlabs SLA Resins
Formlabs offers one of the most comprehensive SLA resin portfolios in the industry, covering general‑purpose prototyping, engineering structural parts, high‑temperature resistant materials, elastomers, casting, dental and medical applications. Below are key popular resins regularly stocked at our service center with their typical use‑cases.
Grey / White / Black Resin V5
Injection‑molding grade general‑purpose resin. Matte smooth surface with ultra‑high precision, dimensional tolerance ±0.02‑0.05 mm and fine detail reproduction. Rigidity and strength are comparable to injection‑molded parts. Optimized for Form 4 printers with 3× faster printing speed. Ideal for appearance validation, assembly testing and display models.
Tough 2000 Resin V2
ABS‑like engineering resin. Strength and stiffness comparable to ABS, combining toughness and fatigue resistance. Elongation at break 79 %, HDT 70 °C. Suitable for snap‑fit enclosures, jigs and functional structural components.
Tough 1500 Resin V2
PP‑like engineering resin. Stiffness and toughness mimic polypropylene, elongation at break 155 %, fatigue life 8000 cycles. Perfect for snap‑fits, clamps, living hinges and flexible mechanisms under repeated bending.
Rigid 10K Resin
Glass‑filled rigid resin. High glass‑filler loading delivers flexural modulus over 10 GPa, outstanding hardness and chemical resistance, performance similar to glass‑/carbon‑filled thermoplastics. Used for molds, tooling, inspection gauges and parts requiring dimensional accuracy under high‑temperature & high‑pressure conditions.
High Temp Resin V2
Heat‑resistant resin. HDT reaches 238 °C @0.45 MPa, low coefficient of thermal expansion. Applied for injection mold masters, fluid‑flow visualization and heat‑resistant jigs & fixtures.
Elastic 50A Resin
Silicone‑like elastomeric resin. Shore hardness 50A with soft rubber‑like touch, elongation at break 160 %, withstands repeated stretching and compression without fracture. Suitable for flexible seals, shock‑absorbing pads, soft‑touch buttons and wearable comfort components.
Clear Resin V5
Acrylic‑grade transparent resin. High inherent clarity after curing, polishable to optical‑grade transparency with surface finish comparable to acrylic. For lamp housings, lenses, fluid‑visualization piping and transparent enclosures.
BioMed Series (Clear / White / Black)
Medical‑grade biocompatible resins. Manufactured under ISO 13485‑certified production lines and compliant with USP Class VI. BioMed White additionally passes USP <15> endotoxin and acute systemic toxicity tests. Suitable for medical devices with prolonged skin contact, short‑term mucosal contact, surgical guides and drug‑delivery equipment.
Popular Formlabs SLS Nylon Powders
Formlabs Fuse‑series SLS 3D printers work with seven high‑performance nylon powder materials for general‑purpose prototyping, toughened grades, glass‑/carbon‑fiber reinforcement and elastomer applications. Below are core SLS nylon materials regularly stocked at our service center together with their typical use‑cases.
Nylon 12 Powder
General‑purpose biocompatible SLS powder. Tensile strength 50 MPa, modulus 1.7 GPa, elongation at break 10 %. Delivers fine detail and excellent dimensional stability, making it the preferred material for functional prototypes and end‑use production parts.
Nylon 12 Tough Powder
Toughened white nylon with 25 % elongation at break and impact strength of 71 J/m, delivering industry‑leading performance for its class. Ideal for durable prototypes and low‑volume production parts subject to repeated impact and flexing.
Nylon 12 White Powder
White dye‑capable nylon with biocompatibility. Surfaces can be easily dyed to brand‑specific colours. Suitable for medical devices, high‑contrast display models and cosmetic parts for consumer‑goods applications.
Nylon 12 GF Powder
Glass‑fiber‑reinforced nylon. Flexural modulus 4.1 GPa, HDT @1.8 MPa reaches 162 °C. Features high stiffness, low creep and heat resistance. Used for structural brackets, automotive components and high‑temperature tooling.
Nylon 11 Powder
Bio‑based high‑performance nylon. Elongation at break 40 %, impact strength 71 J/m. High ductility, good fatigue resistance and low moisture absorption. Suitable for thin‑wall housings, snap‑fit hinges and orthotic devices.
Nylon 11 CF Powder
Carbon‑fiber‑filled composite material. X‑axis tensile modulus 5.3 GPa, HDT @1.8 MPa up to 178 °C. Lightweight and high‑strength for metal‑replacement parts, aerospace structures and automotive functional components.
TPU 90A Powder
Shore hardness 90A, elongation at break 310 %, tear strength 66 kN/m. Combines rubber‑like elasticity with SLS design freedom for flexible functional parts, wearable devices and sealing gaskets.
Vapor‑Smoothed Nylon‑12 Post‑ProcessingInjection‑Molding‑Grade Nylon‑12 Vapor‑Smoothing Service
High‑fidelity printing mode plus professional vapor‑smoothing post‑treatment effectively seals surface micro‑pores of SLS‑printed parts, greatly improving surface smoothness and air‑tightness. Treated parts achieve injection‑molded‑like surface quality with enhanced mechanical and chemical resistance. Suitable for cosmetic‑grade parts, air‑tight functional components and low‑volume end‑use products.
Popular Farsoon SLS / SLM Materials
Farsoon Flight‑series SLS 3D printers support a wide range of high‑performance polymer powders including PA12, PA11‑like grades, glass‑/carbon‑fiber‑reinforced PA6. Its SLM metal systems process metal powders such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy and tool steel. Below are core Farsoon materials regularly stocked at our service center and their typical applications.
FS3201PA‑F (PA12‑like)
PA12‑equivalent polymer for high‑performance functional parts. Tensile strength 42 MPa, elongation at break 20 %. Delivers excellent mechanical performance, high dimensional accuracy and fine detail resolution. Well‑suited for high‑performance and thin‑wall serial production in automotive, aerospace, electrical and consumer‑goods industries.
FS4200PA‑F (PA11‑like)
PA11‑equivalent material with outstanding impact resistance. Elongation at break 40 %, unnotched impact strength 32 kJ/m². Features excellent toughness, impact performance, low moisture absorption and heat resistance. A cost‑effective high‑toughness choice for orthopedic medical components, automotive interiors and consumer‑good functional parts.
FS3401GB‑F (PA12 + Glass Bead)
Flight‑series glass‑bead‑filled material with enhanced stiffness. Tensile modulus 2500 MPa, HDT @0.45 MPa reaches 150 °C. Improved mechanical strength and rigidity, ideal for structural support components and housings such as power‑tool enclosures, suitable for end‑use functional‑part manufacturing.
FS6140GF‑F (PA6 + Glass Fiber)
Glass‑fiber‑reinforced PA6. Tensile strength 70 MPa, flexural modulus 4800 MPa, HDT @1.8 MPa reaches 150 °C. Excellent stiffness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance with superior mechanical and thermal properties. Perfect for end‑use components working under high‑temperature conditions in automotive and electronics industries.
FS6130CF‑F (PA6 + Carbon Fiber)
Carbon‑fiber‑reinforced PA6. Tensile strength 110 MPa, modulus 10 GPa, HDT @1.8 MPa reaches 210 °C. Outstanding strength and modulus enable plastic‑for‑metal substitution, replacing conventional aluminum alloys for complex structural brackets and load‑bearing parts. Applied for high‑temperature end‑use parts in automotive, electronics and machinery sectors.
316L Stainless Steel
Austenitic stainless‑steel powder. Tensile strength ≥550 MPa, yield strength ≥300 MPa, elongation ≥30 %. Delivers excellent corrosion resistance, high‑temperature performance and good processability. Used for corrosion‑resistant components and low‑volume premium parts in medical devices, chemical equipment, marine engineering and food‑processing industries.
AlSi10Mg Aluminum Alloy
Al‑Si‑Mg alloy powder. Tensile strength ≥350 MPa, yield strength ≥220 MPa, density 2.67 g/cm³. Lightweight yet strong, with excellent thermal conductivity and machinability. Suitable for automotive lightweight structures, aerospace brackets, radiator housings and motor casings.
18Ni300 Maraging Steel
Maraging‑steel powder. After aging treatment, tensile strength ≥1500 MPa, hardness ≥45 HRC, elongation ≥8 %. Features ultra‑high strength, good toughness, superior polishability and weldability. Ideal for injection molds, die‑casting molds, high‑precision jigs & fixtures and high‑performance structural components.
Industry Insights
View All Industry Articles →3D‑printing technology is reshaping various sectors of manufacturing. We keep tracking industry trends and real‑world application cases to deliver forward‑looking insights and practical implementation experience for our clients.
Mass‑Production Adoption of Metal 3D Printing in Aerospace
As SLM technology matures, complex titanium‑alloy and aluminum‑alloy components have moved from prototype validation to serial production. Farsoon FS621M series, featuring multi‑laser coordination and large build volume, has become mainstream additive‑manufacturing equipment for aerospace, with multi‑laser overlap accuracy reaching ±0.05 mm.
How SLS Nylon Printing Accelerates Consumer‑Electronics R&D
The consumer‑electronics industry demands fast iteration and high‑quality cosmetic parts. Formlabs Fuse1+ 30W paired with Nylon 12 and glass‑fiber‑reinforced powder delivers functional prototypes within 24 hours, cutting design‑validation cycles for R&D teams by more than 60 %.
PolyJet Full‑Color Multi‑Material Printing for Medical Models
Stratasys J850 Prime supports over 500 000 Pantone‑validated colors and can produce medical anatomical models combining soft‑hard materials, transparent and opaque features in a single print run. Surgeons leverage high‑fidelity models for pre‑operative planning to greatly improve surgical precision and efficiency.
Industrial Breakthrough of Metal‑3D‑Printed Shoe Molds
Cumulative installations of Farsoon FS350M series for shoe‑mold production have exceeded 100 units. Dual‑direction powder recoating boosts efficiency by 38 %, serving production bases across USA, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Korea and mainland China. Metal‑3D‑printed shoe molds have transitioned from trial runs to large‑volume mass‑production.
Additive Manufacturing Enables Fast Delivery of Automotive Jigs & Fixtures
Automotive interior & exterior design requires frequent CMF (Color‑Material‑Finish) reviews. Stratasys J55 Prime with VeroVivid full‑color material and PANTONE‑validated workflow outputs high‑fidelity full‑color appearance prototypes within hours, shortening lead‑times from weeks to days.
From PA12 to PEEK: Material Evolution for High‑Temperature Polymer SLS
Farsoon Flight 252P series reaches maximum chamber temperature of 280 °C, enabling sintering of high‑performance polymers such as PEEK and PEKK. High‑temperature SLS expands application boundaries of 3D printing in semiconductor, chemical and high‑end manufacturing sectors.