Written By:
If you are new to the world of physical printing, you may wonder what is SLA 3D printing. 3D printers are counted among the best printers out there, and SLA printing is a popular sub-type. One of the oldest methods of 3D printing, it uses stereolithography and liquid resin to create an object. So what exactly is SLA printing, and what are some advantages to this method? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Before learning all about MSLA 3D printing, SLA 3D printing, and other types, it is helpful to understand the basics of 3D printing. Printers use a wide range of raw materials to make 3D objects if you are wondering why 3D printing is so expensive. These printers extrude heating materials to build 3D objects, even if you are just learning about SLS 3D printing.
Insider Tip
The learning curve is a bit steeper when working with resin when compared to a filament, which is worth considering.
Stereolithography (SLA) printing is one of the oldest and most revered types of 3D printing. This additive manufacturing process is part of the vat photopolymerization family, otherwise known as resin 3D printing. In other words, SLA printers use containers of resin to build 3D objects and not spools of filament. The process here integrates a light source to cure the photopolymer resin before shaping it according to the design specifications.
SLA printing has been around for a long time, and for good reason. There are many benefits to choosing this type of printer for your next 3D printing process.
SLA designs are continuous with no partitions or obvious gaps. This holds some serious benefits. SLA objects are airtight and watertight, drastically increasing the number of appropriate use case scenarios. This is great for regular consumers but really excellent for manufacturers who use these mechanical properties to design all sorts of objects in a wide range of sectors.
These printers are prized primarily for the smooth finishes on the surfaces of 3D models. The finishes with SLA printers get much smoother than with nearly any other type, eliminating many of the inaccuracies and jags inherent to these other printer types. This helps reduce the post-processing and curing time, as resin objects do require some curing after the fact.
STAT: SLA, or stereolithography, is a widely-used 3D printing process and the most popular of the resin printing technologies.(source)
Resin is available in multiple types, each with unique mechanical properties. This means you can create just about anything you can think of using one of these printers.
References:
