3D printing with stereolithography (SLA)

What is stereolithography (SLA) prototyping?

Stereolithography apparatus (SLA) produces 3D printed parts by curing photopolymer resins with light. It is more accurate and produces smoother surfaces than some other 3D printing technologies, yet it is quick.

What is the SLA build process?

SLA parts are built layer by layer. A computer-controlled laser beam scans the surface of the resin bath, with the first cured layer being supported by the machine’s bed. After the first layer has been completed, the bed is lowered into the resin by a distance equal to the layer thickness, then the laser scans the surface to cure the next layer and fuse it to the layer beneath.

If necessary, support structures are built to prevent overhanging features from distorting during the build process. When the part is complete, the bed rises out of the resin bath to enable the part to be retrieved. Support structures are removed, the part is cleaned and any additional finishing processes applied.