SLA®
SLA
®or Stereolithography Apparatus, is an additive rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping technology for producing parts with high accuracy and good surface finish. It is also known as 3D printing, optical fabrication, photo-solidification, solid free-form fabrication, and solid imaging.
Stereolithography is a process that translates CAD designs into solid objects through a combination of laser, photochemistry and software technologies. CAD data of the product design is first digitally sliced into very thin cross sections. A laser beam of ultraviolet light is then focused onto the surface of a vat of liquid photopolymer. The laser traces a cross section of the part, turning a thin layer of the liquid plastic to solid. The cross section is lowered and recoated with liquid photopolymer and the laser traces the next slice on top of the previous one. The process continues layer by layer until the part is complete. Unattended, the SLA® works around the clock. Without tooling, machining or cutting, a three dimensional part is built within a matter of hours.
Stereolithograpy Prototypes have properties that offer several uses beyond traditional part models. They are strong enough to be machined when such modifications (i.e. tapping, reaming) are called for. They can also be used as master patterns for RTV Tooling (Plastic Castings) and thermoforming.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Stereolithography
