SLA 3D PRINTING SERVICES

Stereolithography (SLA) falls under the Vat Photopolymerization family, operating as an additive manufacturing process. Within this process, an object is meticulously constructed through the successive curing of layers of a polymer resin using a focused ultraviolet (UV) laser beam. The liquid materials utilized in SLA consist of photosensitive thermoset polymers.

Sharing common traits with Direct Light Processing (DLP), another 3D printing technology within the Vat Photopolymerization category, SLA and DLP are often regarded as comparable technologies.

The procedure involves directing a laser beam along the X-Y axes across the resin surface in accordance with the 3D data provided to the machine through a .stl file. This causes the resin to harden precisely at the laser impact points. Subsequently, the platform within the vat descends incrementally (in the Z axis), enabling the laser to define the next layer. Unaffected resin remains in the vat and can be recycled. This layer-by-layer process continues until the entire object is formed, allowing the platform to be raised out of the vat for extraction.

In SLA, the incorporation of support structures is indispensable. These structures are produced using the same material as the main part and necessitate manual removal post-printing. The orientation of the part is critical in determining the placement and quantity of support structures. Optimal orientation ensures that visually critical surfaces avoid contact with support structures during the printing process.