Overview: How SLA/DLP 3D printing works?

The Basics Of SLA/DLP 3D Printing

SLA (stereolithography) is the first of the additive manufacturing processes collectively known as “3D printing”.

Stereolithography(SLA) or Digital Light Processing(DLP) 3D Printing is a laser-based technology that uses a UV-sensitive liquid resin. A UV laser beam(UV projector light in DLP) scans the surface of the resin and selectively hardens the material corresponding to a cross-section of the product, building the 3D part from the bottom to the top.

Stereolithography requires support structures for overhangs, which are built in the same material. The required supports for overhangs and cavities are automatically generated, and later manually removed.

Benefits Of SLA

The SLA technology can achieve very good accuracy, surface finishes and details. Machines with large build volume enable large parts. In FacFox, our largest printing volume in one-piece is 1700 x 800 x 600 mm. Furthermore, there is a wide range of photopolymer materials available which can build parts with different characteristics. Certain SLA materials can mirror the characteristics of engineering plastics over a short period of time, there are also rubber-like resin and clear resin that can be used for aesthetic and validation purposes.

SLA is one of the most cost-saving techonology in rapid prototyping, it’s much less expensive compared to other 3D printing or conventional counterparts, requiring no hard tooling as with plastic injection molding.

Benefits Of SLA With 3M3D – Metrq

Our SLA services allow you to make 3D printed parts and prototypes in a wide range of plastics. Prototypes made using this service can be used for engineering testing or as master patterns for urethane castingmolds. SLA allows the product designer to quickly create complex shapes that cannot be made with conventional subtractive methods. You can also have metal 3D printed parts made using our DMLS 3D printing service.

Available Materials

• Plastics