Stereolithography (SLA or SL; also known as stereolithography apparatus, optical fabrication, photo-solidification, or resin printing) is a form of 3D Printing technology used for creating models, Prototypes, Patterns, and production of parts in a layer by layer fashion using Photopolymerization, a process by which light causes chains of molecules to link, forming polymers. Those polymers then make up the body of a three-dimensional solid.
SLA printing is an early and widely used 3D printing technology.
- If a good surface finish is necessary, you must orient the part so that the surface material does not touch the part. This is typically done by placing it face-up on the supports.
- Supported walls will reduce chance of warping and should be a minimum of .4 mm thick.
- Unsupported walls have a higher chance of warping or detaching from the print and should be at least .6 mm thick.
- Any recessed or imprinted features may fuse with the rest of the model and become invisible if they are too small. To prevent this:
- Embossed details must be at least .1 mm above the surface of the print.
- Engraved details must be at least .4 mm wide and .4 mm thick.
- Holes in the x, y, and z axes that are less than .5 mm in diameter may close off during printing.
- Always allow .5mm clearance between moving parts, and a .2mm clearance for assembly connections.
- Reduce your print time and materials by hollowing your model. The walls should be at least 2 mm thick so the walls don’t fail during printing.
