Stereolithography
Stereolithography is a method that draws each layer and stacks them by solidifying liquid resin
Liquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. with a UV laser. We’ll introduce the feature and printing process of Stereolithography on this page.
Table of Contents
The table is the basic information list of Stereolithography.
| ISO standards | Vat Photo Polymerization |
|---|---|
| Aliases | SLA, DLP, LCD |
| Cost | Some are inexpensive |
| Performance | Good |
How can we print 3D objects with Stereolithography?
We set liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling.(UV resin), which was solidified by UV laser, in a tank.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲Picture of the case of liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling..
Solidify liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. with a UV laser and form a specified shape.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲Structure of Stereolithography.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲The picture is a tank that emits a UV laser from its bottom.
Especially, SLA
SLA is the acronym for Stereolithography Apparatus and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, SLA is a system that emits a linear UV laser and gradually prints a layer. is a system that emits a linear UV laser and gradually prints a layer. This system can create elaborate objects thanks to the laser.
DLP
DLP is the acronym for Digital Light Processing and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, DLP is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a projector and prints a layer at once. and LCDLCD is the acronym for Liquid Crystal Display and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, LCD is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a liquid crystal display and prints a layer at once. are systems that emit a UV laser in the form of a plane and print a layer at once. The qualities of the objects made by DLPDLP is the acronym for Digital Light Processing and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, DLP is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a projector and prints a layer at once. and LCDLCD is the acronym for Liquid Crystal Display and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, LCD is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a liquid crystal display and prints a layer at once. are slightly worse than those made by SLASLA is the acronym for Stereolithography Apparatus and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, SLA is a system that emits a linear UV laser and gradually prints a layer., but the printing speed is fast, and the printers themselves are affordable.
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▲SLASLA is the acronym for Stereolithography Apparatus and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, SLA is a system that emits a linear UV laser and gradually prints a layer. and DLPDLP is the acronym for Digital Light Processing and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, DLP is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a projector and prints a layer at once.
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▲On the left is DLPDLP is the acronym for Digital Light Processing and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, DLP is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a projector and prints a layer at once., right is SLASLA is the acronym for Stereolithography Apparatus and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, SLA is a system that emits a linear UV laser and gradually prints a layer..
DLPDLP is the acronym for Digital Light Processing and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, DLP is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a projector and prints a layer at once. emits UV laser from a projector, and LCDLCD is the acronym for Liquid Crystal Display and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, LCD is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a liquid crystal display and prints a layer at once. emits laser from a liquid crystal display.
Stack each formed layer by moving the stage
A stage is the foundation on which moldings are printed in a 3D printer. to Z-axis while printing.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲Picture of stacking layer by 3D printer
Most Stereolithography printers create objects based on the stageA stage is the foundation on which moldings are printed in a 3D printer. that is set upside of them.
Therefore, they can print the whole object just by filling the bottom of the tank with liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling..
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▲Mechanism of saving liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling..
The UV laser is emitted from the bottom of the tank to the bottom of the printing object, and the object hand in midair. Therefore, support structures
Support structures is a pillar printed between the hollow part (overhang) and the stage to prevent extruded filaments from floating during modeling. are necessary to prevent the object from falling.
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▲Why support structuresSupport structures is a pillar printed between the hollow part (overhang) and the stage to prevent extruded filaments from floating during modeling. are necessary.
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▲Support structuresSupport structures is a pillar printed between the hollow part (overhang) and the stage to prevent extruded filaments from floating during modeling.
This is how Stereolithography prints 3D objects.
Stereolithography needs to add two more steps to finalize 3D objects. They are called washing and post-curing
Post-curing is the process of irradiating the modeled object with ultraviolet light after printing with a 3D printer such as the Stereolithography..
Washing mentioned here is a step to wash away unnecessary liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. adhered to printed objects. Usually, we use IPA, ethanol, or alcohol as washing liquid.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲Picture of the case of washing liquid.
Post-curingPost-curing is the process of irradiating the modeled object with ultraviolet light after printing with a 3D printer such as the Stereolithography. is a step to emit more UV laser into printed objects to solidify them completely. This step makes the objects sturdier and prevents them from bending.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲The machine for post-curingPost-curing is the process of irradiating the modeled object with ultraviolet light after printing with a 3D printer such as the Stereolithography..
We will introduce the feature of Stereolithography.
The surface becomes smooth thanks to the material, liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling..
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲Picture of the objects printed with Stereolithography.
We can print more elaborate objects with Stereolithography than the nozzle
A nozzle is a component that extrudes filament (resin) and prints it on the stage. of Fused Filament Fabrication
Fused Filament Fabrication is a method that draws each layer and stacks it by extruding resin from the heated nozzle and changing the relative position between the stage and nozzle. because it solidifies objects with a UV laser.
Can use clear resin and print beautifully transparent objects.
Place: 3D Solution Center
▲Picture of the objects printed with clear resin.
The systems of DLPDLP is the acronym for Digital Light Processing and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, DLP is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a projector and prints a layer at once. and LCDLCD is the acronym for Liquid Crystal Display and an alias of Stereolithography. Especially, LCD is a system that emits a UV laser in the form of a plane with a liquid crystal display and prints a layer at once. can form objects fast. Printing in the direction of the XY axis is stable even when they make a large object because the systems emit a UV laser in the form of a plane and print a layer at once.
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▲Why printing speed is stable.
The liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. might cause a skin rash if you touch it. The liquid is harmful to our bodies. Follow the directions of the manual for your safety. You are required to clean the printer carefully after printing.
It takes time and effort to print with the printer because you are required to prepare for printing in advance, such as setting liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. and adjusting the stageA stage is the foundation on which moldings are printed in a 3D printer., and you also need to clean up the printer. It’s necessary to do post-curingPost-curing is the process of irradiating the modeled object with ultraviolet light after printing with a 3D printer such as the Stereolithography..
Stereolithography is more expensive than Fused Filament FabricationFused Filament Fabrication is a method that draws each layer and stacks it by extruding resin from the heated nozzle and changing the relative position between the stage and nozzle., and liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. is also expensive.
The majority of liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. is oily and a little weak.
There is a possibility of falling a big and heavy object because of hanging.
Stereolithography is the best 3D printer for people interested in objects' good appearances because it can produce smooth surface objects and elaborate objects.
On the other hand, stereolithography is less convenient because it needs liquid resinLiquid resin is a resin that hardens when exposed to ultraviolet light. In the Stereolithography, liquid resin (UV resin) is used for modeling. and is not relatively safe. Also, it takes time and effort to use it. Additionally, it is a little expensive as a home-use 3D printerA home-use 3D printer is one intended for personal purchase. Although home-use 3D printers are less precise than industrial-use printers, they are less expensive, with some printers costing less than 50,000 yen..
These are the features of Stereolithography.
We will show some pictures of Stereolithography and its printed objects.
Stereolithography
Place: 3D Solution Center
Picture of the case of liquid resin.
Place: 3D Solution Center
Structure of Stereolithography.
Place: 3D Solution Center
The picture is a tank emitting a UV laser from its bottom.
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On the left is DLP, right is SLA.
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Picture of stacking layer by 3D printer.
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Support structures
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Picture of the case of washing liquid.
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The machine for post-curing.
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Picture of the objects printed with Stereolithography.
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Picture of the objects printed with clear resin.
Place: 3D Solution Center
