Yes, provided you factor in SLS tolerance (±0.15-0.3 mm) in your design. For most industrial assemblies with fits H8/f7 or looser, SLS works without finishing. Tighter fits (H7/g6, press-fits): CNC finishing on the mating surfaces. We print replacement parts and variants for existing production lines daily. Mark which dimensions are critical.
Which fits SLS can handle directly
Standard industrial fits up to H8/f7 (ISO tolerance IT9 and looser) work without finishing. Examples:
- Thread holes with heat-set inserts (metal in polymer, standard stable)
- Bearing seats for common sizes (e.g. 608 bearing)
- Pin or shaft holes with some clearance
- Snap-fits (where you want clearance anyway)
For these fits you can factor our standard SLS tolerance into your assembly analysis.
When you need CNC finishing
Tight press-fits (H7/g6), high-precision bearing fits and critical mating surfaces demand ±0.05 mm or better. For those zones: CNC finishing on the specific surfaces after SLS.
We offer it as an optional step. You model oversize on the critical surfaces (e.g. +0.3 mm on shaft diameter), we print and mill them.
Alternative: metal inserts, bearings or bushings press-fit into polymer. Tolerance sits in the metal part, not the SLS print.
Practical approach for complex assemblies
For parts that must fit into an existing assembly: test print before series. Print 3-5 pieces, check fit in the real assembly, measure critical dimensions.
Based on that, adjust the CAD (e.g. hole +0.1 mm larger or shaft -0.1 mm smaller) before you place a large order.
For customers ordering regular replacements: we lock the tolerance fine-tuning into the CAD. Repeat prints come out ready to use.