3D printing is perhaps the most cost-effective manufacturing technology in the present times. While there has been much evolution in the production process of goods, 3D is considered the latest development. Stereolithography or SLA is one of the most prominent and versatile 3D printing technologies implemented in the manufacturing of a wide range of parts and prototypes.
SLA 3D printing service is a laser-based technology that works by selectively curing material from the base to the top. Apart from being a cost-saving process, it allows the selection of an extensive variety of materials. Thus, the products obtained are highly functional and used in multiple fields.
Stereolithography- An Introduction
Stereolithography is a process that comes under the vat polymerization technology where polymers are used in the process. SLA printing service involves the use of UV lasers to solidify photopolymer resins. The popularity of SLA arises due to the quality of products obtained- highly accurate and smooth surface finish.
The process is described as below:
- A very thin layer of liquid polymer resin is spread on the build platform.
- A UV laser beam is applied to selectively cure the resin in the required parts.
- Once a layer is completed, the second layer is done in a similar process.
- The process continues until the targeted design is achieved.
- When the final product is accomplished, the support structures are removed and the item is sent for post-processing if required.
In SLA 3D printing, the parts and products obtained cannot be converted to their original state. In other words, it is an irreversible process where heating of the SLA parts will burn them instead of melting them!
The High Points
While there are other 3D printing techniques, SLA is the prominent one because:
- It permits the creation of complex geometries.
- The SLA parts obtained are greatly precise and detailed.
- It is a highly scalable process.
- The flexibility of material selection is one of its major advantages.
- The best SLA 3D printing services are cost-effective when compared to other techniques.
- The excellent surface finish makes it a preferred technology.
Thus, modern 3D printing is incomplete without SLA!
