3D Printing Technology Overview
3D printing manufacturing has made great strides in recent decades, and at the heart of this breakthrough is SLA (stereolithography) technology.
This 3D printing method uses a laser to harden a liquid photopolymer, converting it layer by layer into a solid object.
Historically, SLA was the first technology to be patented in 1986 for creating 3D objects, offering superior accuracy and detail.
What is SLA 3D printing technology?
How SLA technology works
SLA printers use an ultraviolet (UV) laser beam that is precisely focused on the surface of a liquid photopolymer. The beam causes the polymer to harden, allowing the object to be built with high precision, layer by layer, from the bottom up. This process allows for the production of products with smooth surfaces and complex geometries that are not possible with other types of 3D printing.
In the SLA process, a laser successively “draws” on the surface of a liquid photosensitive polymer, causing it to polymerize (harden) in precisely defined locations.
After one layer has hardened, the platform is lowered by the thickness of the next layer, and the process is repeated to build the next layer on top of the already hardened one. This process continues until the entire object is built.
This method allows the creation of objects with fine details and very smooth surfaces, which makes SLA technology ideal for prototyping, creating jewelry, dentures and other products that require high precision and surface quality.
In addition, due to the possibility of using various photopolymers, the SLA method allows the creation of products with various physical and chemical properties that can be used in a wide range of fields, from mechanical engineering to medicine.
The difference between SLA and DLP and LCD technologies
Unlike SLA, DLP (Digital Light Processing) and LCD printing use a projector or light from an LCD panel to expose an entire layer of resin at a time. This can reduce print time, but SLA offers greater precision and surface quality. SLA requires precise control of the laser beam and exposure time, allowing for exceptional detail.
SLA uses a UV laser to precisely cure the resin, layer by layer. This process provides high precision and surface quality because it can precisely control where and how long the laser interacts with the resin. This makes SLA ideal for producing small parts with thin walls and complex geometries.
Unlike SLA, DLP uses a projector to project the entire image onto the resin surface. This allows the entire layer to cure at once, significantly reducing print times compared to SLA. However, while DLP boasts high print speeds, it cannot always achieve the same level of detail and surface quality as SLA.
LCD 3D printing, similar to DLP, uses a light source to illuminate an entire layer of resin at once. The difference is that LCD uses masked LCD panels to filter the light, allowing it to determine which areas of the resin layer will be cured. This method also allows for fast printing, but the accuracy and detail quality may be lower than SLA.
Using photopolymers in the printing process
The key component of SLA technology is photopolymer resin. When exposed to UV light, this liquid resin hardens into a polymer with impressive strength and detail characteristics. There is a wide range of photopolymers with different properties, which allows SLA printing to be used for a wide range of industrial and creative tasks.
Advantages and Disadvantages of SLA Based 3D Printers
High precision and detail of printing
Among the main advantages of SLA 3D printing is the highest precision and detail of products. Thanks to the use of a laser and liquid resin, printers can work with a layer thickness of only a few micrometers, which makes the technology ideal for creating miniature and complex models.
Limitations and challenges of using SLA printers
However, using SLA technology comes with its own set of challenges. First, management and preparation for printing require certain skills and an understanding of the process. Second, photopolymers can be expensive, and the resin requires special handling and disposal.
Comparison of cost and availability of materials
The issue of cost and availability of materials remains critical for many users. Although SLA printers are becoming more affordable, the cost of consumables can still be high compared to other technologies such as FDM. However, for many production applications that require high precision and print quality, SLA remains the undisputed choice.
Industrial and Personal SLA 3D Printers Review
Leading manufacturers and brands on the market
The 3D printer market offers a wide range of SLA devices for both industrial and personal use. Leading manufacturers in this field, such as Formlabs, offer a variety of models that vary in power, print size, and of course, price. Their products demonstrate high standards of quality and reliability.
3D printer Formlabs Form 3+
Characteristic | Meaning |
Printing technology | LFS (Low Force Stereolithography) |
Print area | 145 x 145 x 185 mm |
Minimum layer thickness | 0.025 mm |
Laser diameter | 85 microns |
Printing materials | Resins (standard, engineering, biocompatible, etc.) |
Formlabs Form 3+ — is a high-quality SLA printer ideal for professionals and businesses that require high precision and detail. Despite its high cost and the need for additional post-processing, its functionality, ease of use and wide range of materials make it an excellent choice for creating complex and detailed objects.
Pros:
High precision and detail: LFS technology and 85 µm laser diameter ensure excellent print quality.
Wide range of materials: Supports various resins for different applications, from prototyping to medical models.
Ease of Use: The touch screen and intuitive PreForm software make the printer easy to use.
Automation: Automatic resin feeding and mixing system, as well as the possibility of using automated post-processing.
Remote Monitoring: Ability to monitor the printing process and control the printer remotely via Wi-Fi.
Print Resume: The ability to continue printing after a power failure.
Minuses:
Price: The high cost of the device and consumables may be out of reach for some users.
Weight: The printer is quite heavy, making it difficult to move and install.
Limited print area: The print area is smaller compared to some FDM printers, which may limit the size of printable objects.
Post Processing: Requires additional post processing equipment such as Form Wash and Form Cure.
Maintenance Requirements: Regular maintenance and replacement of consumables is required to maintain print quality.
Formlabs 3D Printers in Education
Formlabs 3D printers are used in educational institutions around the world. At Boston University, they help students implement hands-on projects, at Semmelweis University, they support medical research and clinical practice, and at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, they support turbulent flow research. These examples show how Formlabs 3D printers are helping improve the educational process and drive innovation.
Read more: Formlabs 3D Printer Case Studies in Education.
3D printer Formlabs Form 3B+
Characteristic | Meaning |
Printing technology | LFS (Low Force Stereolithography) |
Print area | 145 x 145 x 185 mm |
Minimum layer thickness | 0.025 mm |
Laser diameter | 85 microns |
Printing materials | Biocompatible resins, dental resins, standard resins, etc. |
Formlabs Form 3B+ — is a high-quality SLA printer specifically designed for medical and dental applications. Its high accuracy and ability to work with biocompatible materials make it an ideal choice for professionals in these fields. Despite the high cost and the need for additional post-processing, its functionality, reliability and accuracy make it an excellent tool for creating complex and detailed medical and dental models.
Pros:
High precision and detail: LFS technology and 85 µm laser diameter ensure excellent print quality.
Supports Biocompatible Materials: Ideal for medical and dental applications.
Ease of Use: The touch screen and intuitive PreForm software make the printer easy to use.
Automation: Automatic resin feeding and mixing system, as well as the possibility of using automated post-processing.
Remote Monitoring: Ability to monitor the printing process and control the printer remotely via Wi-Fi.
Print Resume: The ability to continue printing after a power failure.
Minuses:
Price: The high cost of the device and consumables may be out of reach for some users.
Weight: The printer is quite heavy, making it difficult to move and install.
Limited print area: The print area is smaller compared to some FDM printers, which may limit the size of printable objects.
Post Processing: Requires additional post processing equipment such as Form Wash and Form Cure.
Maintenance Requirements: Regular maintenance and replacement of consumables is required to maintain print quality.
Experience of producing aligners in a dental laboratory
A dentist shares his experience of using 3D printers and scanners to produce aligners in his own lab. The stages of creation, equipment (3D scanners, Formlabs printers, post-processing systems), and advantages of this method are discussed. This process allows for a significant reduction in costs and improvement in treatment quality.
Read more: Production of aligners in our own laboratory.
3D printer XYZprinting PartPro150 xP
Characteristic | Meaning |
Printing technology | SLA (Stereolithography) |
Print area | 150 x 150 x 200 mm |
Minimum layer thickness | 0.025 mm |
Laser diameter | 130 microns |
Printing materials | Resins (standard, engineering, biocompatible, etc.) |
XYZprinting PartPro150 xP — is a high-quality SLA printer ideal for professionals and businesses that require high precision and detail. Despite its high cost and the need for additional post-processing, its functionality, reliability and wide range of materials make it an excellent choice for creating complex and detailed objects in various fields, from engineering to medicine.
Pros:
High precision and detail: SLA technology and 130 µm laser diameter ensure excellent print quality.
Wide range of materials: Supports printing with a variety of resins, including engineering and biocompatible ones.
Ease of use: The touch screen and intuitive software make the printer easy to use.
Automation: Automatic resin supply system ensures convenient and stable printing.
Remote Monitoring: Ability to monitor the printing process and control the printer remotely via Wi-Fi.
Print Resume: The ability to continue printing after a power failure.
Minuses:
Price: The high cost of the device and consumables may be out of reach for some users.
Weight: The printer is quite heavy, making it difficult to move and install.
Limited print area: The print area is smaller compared to some FDM printers, which may limit the size of printable objects.
Post-processing: Additional equipment is required for post-processing of models.
Maintenance Requirements: Regular maintenance and replacement of consumables is required to maintain print quality.
Choosing between desktop SLA models and industrial devices
Depending on your production needs and budget, you can choose between desktop SLA models and more powerful industrial devices. Desktop printers are ideal for small businesses, designers, and artists, offering enough precision and quality for prototyping or small-scale production. Industrial SLA 3D printers are aimed at large-scale production with high demands on durability, detail, and print volume.
Interesting models of SLA 3D printers for different production tasks
The market offers a wide range of SLA printer models, each of which can be tailored to specific production needs. For example, printers with the highest resolution are suitable for miniature parts and jewelry. Large-sized products require machines with a large print area and the ability to work with a variety of photopolymers.
3D printer Zongheng3D Super Maker SLA 1000
Characteristic | Meaning |
Printing technology | SLA (Stereolithography) |
Print area | 1000 x 500 x 500 mm |
Minimum layer thickness | 0.05 mm |
Laser diameter | 150 microns |
Printing materials | Resins (standard, engineering, biocompatible, etc.) |
Zongheng3D Super Maker SLA 1000 — is a powerful and high-quality SLA printer, ideal for professionals and businesses that require a large print area and high precision. Despite its high cost, weight and the need for additional post-processing, its functionality, reliability and wide range of materials make it an excellent choice for creating large and detailed objects in various fields, from industrial production to medical models.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros:
Very large print area: Suitable for creating large objects and prototypes.
High precision and detail: SLA technology and 150 µm laser diameter ensure excellent print quality.
Wide range of materials: Supports printing with a variety of resins, including engineering and biocompatible ones.
Ease of use: The touch screen and intuitive software make the printer easy to use.
Automation: Automatic resin supply system ensures convenient and stable printing.
Remote Monitoring: Ability to monitor the printing process and control the printer remotely via Wi-Fi.
Print Resume: The ability to continue printing after a power failure.
Minuses:
Price: The high cost of the device and consumables may be out of reach for some users.
Weight: The printer is very heavy, making it difficult to move and install.
Space requirements: Due to its large size, it requires sufficient space for installation and operation.
Post-processing: Additional equipment is required for post-processing of models.
Maintenance Requirements: Regular maintenance and replacement of consumables is required to maintain print quality.
3D printer Uniz UBEE
Characteristic | Meaning |
Printing technology | LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) |
Print area | 192 x 120 x 200 mm |
Minimum layer thickness | 0.01 mm |
XY Resolution | 49 microns |
Printing materials | Resins (standard, engineering, biocompatible, etc.) |
Uniz UBEE — is a high-quality LCD printer ideal for professionals and enthusiasts who value high precision and detail. Thanks to LCD technology and high XY resolution, this printer delivers excellent print quality, making it ideal for creating detailed prototypes, medical models and jewelry.
Pros:
High resolution and detail: LCD technology and 49 micron resolution provide superior print quality.
Wide range of materials: Supports printing with a variety of resins including standard, engineering and biocompatible.
Ease of use: The touch screen and intuitive software make the printer easy to use.
Automation: Automatic resin feeding and mixing system ensures convenient and stable printing.
Remote Monitoring: Ability to monitor the printing process and control the printer remotely via Wi-Fi.
Print Resume: The ability to continue printing after a power failure.
Minuses:
Price: The high cost of the device and consumables may be out of reach for some users.
Limited print area: The print area is smaller compared to some FDM and SLA printers, which may limit the size of printable objects.
Post-processing: Additional equipment is required for post-processing of models.
Maintenance Requirements: Regular maintenance and replacement of consumables is required to maintain print quality.
SLA vs. FDM: Advantages of Accuracy and Quality
Compared to FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), SLA offers significantly better accuracy and surface quality. Although FDM printers are more affordable and easier to operate, they cannot compete with stereolithography in terms of detail and smoothness of products. That is why SLA is preferred for tasks that require the highest accuracy.
Stereolithography (SLA) provides significantly better print quality than FDM technology by using liquid photopolymer resins that harden under ultraviolet light. This process allows for high precision and surface smoothness of parts, making SLA an excellent choice for producing small parts with thin walls and complex geometries.
Benefits of SLA include:
High precision and detail – SLA allows you to create objects with very fine details, clear edges and a smooth surface. This is especially important for prototyping, jewelry, dentistry and other complex-shaped objects.
Better Surface Quality – Stereolithography prints typically require less post-processing to achieve a smooth surface, saving time and effort in the manufacturing process.
However, SLA has its drawbacks:
Cost – SLA printers and resins are generally more expensive than FDM printers and their materials. This can be a significant factor when choosing the technology for personal use or for a small business.
Material Limitations – While SLA applications are expanding and more resins are available, the physical properties and durability of objects printed on SLA printers can be limited. Some resins can be brittle or sensitive to UV light and moisture, which affects their strength and stability over time.
Post-processing – Objects printed on SLA printers require mandatory post-processing, such as removing uncured resin and subsequent UV curing. This increases the time and labor required to produce finished products.
Limited print size – Many SLA printers have a limited print volume, which can be a problem when you need to create large objects. This may require parts to be printed in sections and then assembled, which increases the complexity and time of production.
Toxicity and Safety – The resins used in SLA printers can be toxic and irritating to the skin and respiratory tract. This requires safety precautions such as the use of gloves, masks, and good ventilation of the work area.
Print Speed - The printing process on SLA printers can be slower compared to some other 3D printing technologies, especially when printing large or highly detailed objects.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Technology for Your Project
The choice between SLA, DLP, LCD and FDM technologies should be based on the requirements of your project. By evaluating factors such as budget, required accuracy and surface quality, and material type, you will be able to choose the most appropriate 3D printing method that best suits your needs.
