The benefits of SLS or Selective Laser Sintering are amazing.  This powder bed fusion technology requires no support structures allowing freedom of design with part properties comparable to injection molding. However, the technology is not for the faint at heart. This complex array of thermal and laser energy with variations in powder requires constant monitoring and validation of the process.

MJF or Mult-Jet Fusion is another powder bed fusion technology similar to SLS.  This process does not use lasers but heat absorbing ink to fuse the powder together.  The finished parts have a grey appearance but can  be dyed black which limits color options.  This process provides better resolution then SLS but is a little more expensive.   Parts are are more brittle with less elongation but have better isotropic mechanical properties.

SLA or Stereolithography is a photocurable resin process.  This technology produces the highest quality prints with amazing accuracy and detail.  A wide range of thermoset resins are available to meet many demanding applications although materials are typically more brittle.  Whether you need functional prototypes or crystal clear test pieces, SLA is a great choice.  Most RTV master patterns are produced with SLA.