What is Stereolithography?

Stereolithography (SLA or SL; also known as optical fabrication, photo-solidification, solid free-form fabrication and solid imaging) is an additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology used for producing models, prototypes, patterns, and production parts up one layer at a time by curing a photo-reactive resin with a UV laser or another similar power source.

How Does SLA Work?

Firstly, the SLA machine starts to draw the support structures layer by layer. The part itself is followed with an ultraviolet laser aimed onto the surface of a liquid thermoset resin.

Secondly, when a layer is imaged on the resin surface, the build platform shifts down and a recoating bar moves across the platform to apply the next layer of resin. The process is carried out layer by layer until the build is done.

Thirdly, newly built parts are taken out of machine and additional resins are removed with solvents. When the parts are completely clean, the support structures will be removed manually. From there, parts will undergo a UV-curing cycle to fully dry and solidify the outer surface of the part.

Finally, the application of custom or customer-specified finishing will be implemented. Minimal UV and humidity exposure shall be applied on the parts so that they don’t degrade.

What Are the Advantages of SLA?

  • Products with very complex structures can be made
  • Smooth Surface Finishes
  • Competitive prices compared with other processes

Why SLA at RPWORLD?

Optimal Batch Sizes

1-100 pieces

Layer Thickness

0.1mm

Started from USD100

Lead Time

1-3 days

Maximum Component Size

580 * 580 * 400mm

Minimum Wall Thickness

1mm

Materials Available for SLA

Materials Material Category Attributes / Applications
Photosensitive Resin Plastic Low viscosity/ Fast curing/ Small Swelling

For more specific materials, please feel free to contact our engineers.

Surface Finishes

After machining, surface finishes are applied and customers can select the appearance, surface roughness, hardness and chemical resistance of the finished parts as they like. What surface finishing can I get? Click Here

Quality Assurance

  • Quality System Certification ISO9001:2015 obtained since 2015.
  • Strict quality controlflow: IQC(Incoming Quality Control), FAI (First Article Inspection), IPQC(InPut Process Quality Control), OQC(Outgoing Quality Control) and COC (Certificate of Conformance) can be provided at your request.
  • Rich Inspection Ways and Inspection tools, like pin gauge, colorimeter etc.
  • A wide range of inspection equipment: CMM, Flash Measuring Machine, 3D Scanner, 2D Image Measuring Machine, etc.
  • Highly-skilled QA team with over 10-year experiences.
  • Strict Quality Control System to keep processes improvement and optimization.
  • Material certificates and test reports can be provided on request.

Industries Applied

Free interactive design analysis within hours