The Different SLS 3D Printers on the Market

Once an exclusive tool for high-budget labs, selective laser sintering (SLS) has become a practical solution for modern manufacturing. The technology uses a laser to fuse plastic powder layer-by-layer, and historically, it was sidelined by high costs and operational complexity. However, breakthroughs in desktop solutions have made the process more accessible, and the library of compatible materials has grown to include high-performance composites, recycled polymers, and flexible TPUs. Today, SLS is widely used by the automotive, consumer goods, aerospace and medical industries.

Below, we examine the desktop and industrial SLS 3D printers currently on the market. Whether you’re looking for a more user-friendly, desktop option, or a high-volume industrial system, this guide (with machines listed in alphabetical order by manufacturer) explores the solutions defining the SLS landscape.

Desktop SLS 3D Printers

Fuse 1+ 30W – Formlabs

Founded in the United States in 2011, Formlabs develops professional 3D printers at accessible price points. The company built its reputation on stereolithography before launching the Fuse 1, its first SLS 3D printer, in 2021. Building on that launch, Formlabs released the Fuse 1+ 30W, a compact SLS machine suited to rapid prototyping and same-day production runs in-house. It uses a 30W fiber laser, with a build volume of 165 x 165 x 300 mm and a layer thickness of 110 microns. Compatible materials include Nylon 12, Nylon 11, Nylon 12 GF, Nylon 11 CF, and TPU 90A. The printer is designed to integrate with the Fuse Ecosystem, a suite of post-processing tools covering part extraction, powder reclaiming, and surface finishing.