Honest about the limits. Minimum wall ~0.8 mm. Tolerances ±0.1-0.3 mm (tighter needs CNC finishing). Surface lightly grainy (Ra 10-15 µm). Polymers only, no metals, no glass-clear plastic, no production-grade ABS. Build volume max 500x330x400 mm. For parts outside this envelope we recommend another process or hybrid approach.
Technical limits
Walls below 0.8 mm become unstable during powder spreading or de-powdering. For load-bearing structures we recommend 1.5-2 mm.
Dimensional tolerances: ±0.1 mm on small critical dimensions is ambitious, ±0.3 mm on larger dimensions is the norm. Tighter needs CNC finishing.
Surface: after standard bead blasting the texture is grainy. For gloss or smoothness, post-processing follows (vibratory tumbling, dye, seal, polish).
Build volume: 500x330x400 mm on the P500. Larger parts we split or use another process.
Where material-wise SLS does not reach
SLS works with polymer powders. Polycarbonate (glass-clear), production-grade ABS, PP: SLS is not the path. For those materials: injection moulding (after mould investment) or another 3D printing technology.
For metals (stainless, aluminium, steel, titanium) we point to colleagues with DMLS/SLM or CNC milling. For extreme temperatures (>120 °C continuous) or chemical aggression PA12 Blue MD sits at the edge; above that PEEK printing, which we do not offer as standard.
How to work with the limits
Usually there is a pragmatic solution.
Wall too thin? Thicken to 1.5 mm and shell the part internally.
Tight tolerance on one critical dimension? CNC finish that zone.
Too much surface roughness for showroom aesthetics? Polish and paint.
Part too large for the P500? Split with a bonding surface.
Our engineers gladly think along before you decide SLS does not work.