SLA 3D Printing Technology
PROTOTYPES, TOOLS AND PRODUCTION PARTS WITH THE GOLD STANDARD IN 3D PRINTING
What is SLA (stereolithography)?
Stereolithography is the first commercialized 3D printing technology, invented by 3D Systems’ Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer Chuck Hull in the 1980s. It uses an ultraviolet laser to precisely cure photopolymer cross-sections, transforming them from liquid to solid. Parts are built directly from CAD data, layer-by-layer into prototypes, investment casting patterns, tools, and end-use parts.
Once the SLA printing process is complete, SLA parts are cleaned in a solvent solution to remove any residual uncured resin from the part surface. Cleaned parts are then cured in a UV oven.
ProX 6000HD
Highest 3D printed quality and accuracy for small to medium-sized parts in the SLA lineup.
250 x 250 x 250 mm (10 x 10 x 10 in) build volume
ProX 7000HD
Mid-range integrated solution for SLA quality and accuracy.
380 x 380 x 250 mm (15 x 15 x 10 in) build volume
SLA 3D Printing Technology
Tolerances on SLA parts are typically less than 0.05 millimeters, making it an excellent choice when precision is your top priority. Delivering the smoothest surface finish of any additive manufacturing process, the quality of SLA parts makes this versatile technology great for:
- Master patterns for vacuum casting
- Sacrificial patterns for metal casting
- Tools, molds and dies
- Functional prototypes and models
- High clarity, transparent products and components
- Complex assemblies
- Wind tunnel models
- Under the hood components
- Rapid production of flow test rigs
- Mass customization
- Custom assembly jigs and fixtures
SLA Material Properties & Uses
Rigid
Similar aesthetics and properties to injection-molded ABS
Tough & Durable
Look and feel of polypropylene
Clear
Including the industry’s highest clarity material for polycarbonate-like parts
Castable
Resins specifically formulated for QuickCast sacrificial patterns for investment casting
Composite & High Temp
Heat deflection temperatures up to over 215c (419f) offering exceptional performance under extreme conditions
Specialty Material
Options for jewelry-specific casting and dental model production
Why Use Stereolithography?
Unrivaled Accuracy and Precision
SLA 3D printers are able to deliver highly detailed, tiny parts just a few mm in size, all the way up to 1.5 m long parts—all at the same exceptional resolution and accuracy. Even large parts remain highly accurate from end-to-end, with virtually no part shrinkage or warping.
Production Quality
3D Systems has released 21 different SLA printers over the last 3 decades, each providing significant improvements over the previous version, offering you exceptional part quality. Our customers do not have to compromise speed or feature detail because we utilize two laser spot sizes per layer—delivering the best surface finish, small feature definition, and throughput.
Broad SLA Materials Selection
By working with our customers over the last 30 years, 3D Systems has supported more than 80 SLA additive manufacturing materials, tuned to application needs. Find the mechanical specifications you need in our existing portfolio, or talk to our experts to find what you’re looking for.
24/7 Production Utilization
Get the highest productivity possible with the fastest print technology for large and production runs. Quick interchangeable material delivery modules keep machines running to advance your part manufacturing workflow, while 3D Connect™ Service offers proactive and preventative support.