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Stereolithography (SLA)

Stereolithography, or SLA, is known as the original 3D-printing process for producing rapid prototypes and show models

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1-5 days

Average lead time for a prototype

4

Materials to choose from

5 min

Typical time to place an order

For Fine, Detailed Small-Featured Parts and Extraordinarily Large Components

Stereolithography (SLA) uses a UV laser that cures parts one layer at a time in a photo-reactive epoxy resin. It is widely regarded as one of the most accurate of the additive technologies.

The Stereolithography 3D printing process is a popular choice among engineers looking for fine detailed, small-featured parts as well as extraordinarily large components.

With both large-format and high-resolution SLA equipment, we can build parts as fine as .002” layer thickness on our high-resolution equipment virtually overnight from a customer’s CAD data.

We also offer a range of resins to meet each rapid-prototyping need.

Benefits

High resolution: parts at .002”–.006” layers
Large, seamless parts: can be bonded together with UV light–reactive resins
Known for great for surface cosmetics, SLA is a popular choice for premium painted trade show models
Precision: fine features from a precise spot-beam UV laser
Clarity: waterclear models (in our Somos® WaterShed XC 11122 resin)

Materials

Select From a Range of Materials

Name

Description

Somos BioClear

Specially developed for use in medical applications, meeting the requirements for non-implantable limited body contact (<24hr) medical applications

Somos NeXt

Highly durable SLA material which produces very accurate parts with high feature resolution and exhibits good moisture and thermal resistance. Good for snap-fit designs, jigs and fixtures

Somos WaterShed Black

An environmentally durable SLA material for weatherable applications. Exposed under robust SAE J2527 industry standard weathering testing, Somos WaterShed Black meets the demands of weatherability, UV-testing and durability for functional prototyping and end use part production

Somos WaterShed XC 11122

Popular among designers for its ABS and PBT-like properties, Somos WaterShed produces detailed parts with superior clarity and water resistance, well-suited to fluid flow analysis

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Design

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Name

Description

No design guidelines found

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Tolerances

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Finishing

Choose From a Variety of Finishes

Name

Description

Basic Finish - Clear Coat (Support Removal, Minimal Sanding)

Supports are removed, followed by sanding on supported surfaces to eliminate any residual nubs. A clear coat is then applied enhancing the clarity of Somos WaterShed XC 11122 parts. Layer lines will be present

Basic Finish - Support Removal, Minimal Sanding

Supports are removed, followed by sanding on supported surfaces to eliminate any residual nubs. Layer lines will be present

Premium Finish - 320-600 Grit Sand, Bead Blast

Choose between 320-600 grit sanded finish for desired smoothness, followed up with a media blast for a uniform look

Premium Finish - Primer

Parts are sanded, with all voids and pitting carefully filled, followed by a primer application to ensure they are perfectly prepped and ready for paint

Premium Finish - Primer and Paint

Parts are sanded, with all voids and pitting carefully filled, followed by a primer application. Parts are then painted to desired color, texture and sheen

Premium Finish - Waterclear

Accessible surfaces are polished, removing any imperfections before applying a clear coat for optically transparent Somos WaterShed XC 11122 parts

Standard Finish - 220 Grit Sand, Bead Blast

220 Grit sanded finish followed by a bead blast for a uniform look

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