SLA
What is SLA?
SLA (Stereolithography) technology is a 3D printer technology that works by hardening the resin with light. The light solidifies a liquid resin by a process called photopolymerization and forms the part to be produced in layers. Currently, Stereolithography Technology is one of the most stable forms of 3D printing. There are two main types of SLA technology: laser-based (typically abbreviated as SLA) or projection-based (abbreviated DLP for Digital Light Projection).
How does it work?
SLA technology is based on the principle of hardening certain parts of the photopolymer resin layer, which is liquid at room temperature, by means of a point-based ultraviolet laser beam.
The resin layer adheres to the first layer and the hardening process continues in order to produce the part. After the layers are completed, the fragment is removed from the resin pool.
When the part is formed, the structure that acts as a support is mechanically separated from the part. In stereolithography technology, photo polymer resins specific to this method are used as raw materials.
Uses include:
- Mould and Casting Models
- Jig and Fixtures
- Designer models, snap – fit compilations
- Scale and exhibition models
- Optical parts and transparent productions
- Works fast
- Low material consumption, uncured resin can be reused
- Cost is low
- Multi-part and assembled production is possible with SLA technology
- Can produce parts with very high dimensional accuracy and complex details
- It produces parts with a very smooth surface coating, ideal for visual prototypes
- SLA materials such as transparent, flexible resins are also available
- The parts produced are generally fragile and not suitable for functional prototypes
- When the parts produced are exposed to sunlight for a certain period of time, their mechanical properties and visual appearance will change due to their low UV resistance.
- Support structures will always be required for the parts produced and successive processing may be needed after production to remove the remaining visual traces on the part