Stereolithography (SLA), also known by other names such as SL apparatus, optical fabrication, photo-solidification or resin printing is an additive manufacturing process under the category of VAT polymerization in which 3D objects are fabricated by curing liquid resin cautiously by exposing them to ultraviolet light.
After post processing the final 3D product comes out smooth. This can be later subjected to injection mold prototyping/visual models as the products designed from SLA are ideal for injecting and producing perfect designs that have complicate detail figuration with distinctive dimensional accuracy.
SLA utilizes photopolymers which are thermo sets that makes the parts brittle .Unlike FDM, SLA products are not strong . So, this technology is not suitable for manufacturing of high-grade functional parts and load bearings. Generally, SLA is used for prototyping small production parts, computer hardware components, medical models and other replicas.
SLA provides wide range of materials that are precisely developed for different applications. It extends from using bio-compatible resins for dental and healthcare Industry, Casting resins for ornamental embellishments, flexible materials for general prototyping- thus providing us many alternatives to go for.
SLA is acknowledged for its original 3D printing technology as the design structure of final product is indistinguishable. Because SLA technology is known to use mirrors known as galvanometers to rapidly gear the laser beam towards the build platform thereby curing and hardening of resin.
SLA is known for its speed and its complexity of designs. Prototypes and design models created with SLA are steady enough to be forged and make mould patterns and metal castings. SLA is been in use since 1990’s and has been reaped major benefits in Medicine Industry , especially for creation of anatomical models. Currently it is also used for prototyping parts in Industries for demonstrating designs in order to promote final original products.
While creating three-dimensional objects from digital files, manufactures have the option to choose from several old and new 3D printing technologies. Stereolithography (SLA) is one of the older and earlier 3D printing technologies. The 3D printing technology was developed in the 1980s. But SLA is currently one of the widely used 3D printing technologies in …
You can use a 3D printer to build three-dimensional products, items, or objects physically from a digital file. The 3D printers create the physical objects or structures by depositing thin layers of materials successively. But you have the option to choose from a wide range of additive manufacturing or 3D printing technologies, including Fused Deposition …
