Laser Stereolithography (SLA)
How does SLA / DLP 3D printing work?
SLA (stereolithography) is the main additive manufacturing process, collectively known as 3D printing.
Stereolithography (SLA) or digital light processing (DLP) is a technology that uses a UV-sensitive liquid resin. The ray of an ultraviolet laser or ultraviolet light from a projector selectively hardens the material corresponding to the cross-section of the product, creating a three-dimensional part beneath it.
The technology requires preliminary construction of supporting structures in the model – supports, which are necessary for printing protrusions, cavities. Supports are manually removed after printing is complete.
SLA / DLP capabilities.
The undoubted advantage of SLA / DLP printing technologies is the high detail of the prototype, as well as its perfectly smooth surface. In addition, there is a wide range of materials available, allowing parts with different characteristics to be created: for example, to reflect the characteristics of engineering plastics, burnout polymers for investment models, or rubber-like materials for experimental purposes.
Profitability.
SLA / DLP is one of the most affordable and cost effective rapid prototyping technologies. It is significantly cheaper and does not require any complex tools, as in plastic injection molding.
Mass production.
Our SLA / DLP printing service enables the production of parts and prototypes from a wide range of materials, but specializing in small items with high detail. Prototypes can be easily used for testing or as main prototypes in serial production and replication by making casting molds.
Benefits of SLA / DLP technologies
Surface and detail.
SLA has +/- tolerances. 004 ”per inch, and the resin surface is ideal for post-processing such as polishing and painting.
Material selection.
There are many different materials with special properties such as strength, heat resistance, flexibility, or imitation of finished products such as rubber.
Quality and availability.
One of the cheapest rapid prototyping techniques while maintaining excellent detail and surface quality.
Geometry.
Allows you to integrate multiple components, and create thin-walled and geometrically complex components that the traditional method is not capable of.
Speed.
No special tools are required to print and apply SLA parts, which significantly reduces production times. Enables faster innovation and time to market.
Scalability.
Several of the same prototypes can be placed on the same platform at the same time, greatly improving production efficiency.
Disadvantages of SLA / DLP technologies
Fragility.
Photopolymers are unstable over time, and most materials do not have a balanced impact / heat resistance.
Replication time.
With the further circulation of the prototype, costs and time will not be reduced.
Available SLA / DLP materials
EPIC
DLP
EC500
DLP
PIC100
DLP
Grey Resin Pro
SLA
RCP30
DLP
Available Equipment
EnvisionTEC Perfactory III
Layer thickness
15-15 µm.
Print area
90 x 56 x 180 mm.
Price
from 10$ per 1 cm³
Strizh 2M
Linear axis resolution
0,001 mm.
Processing area
200 x 80 x 140 mm.
Price
from 6$ per hour