What is Stereolithography (SLA)? Understanding the 3D Printing Technology

Definition

Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that utilizes a vat of liquid ultraviolet-curable photopolymer resin and an ultraviolet laser to build parts one layer at a time. The laser traces a pattern on the surface of the liquid resin, solidifying the pattern. Once a layer is complete, the build platform moves down, and the next layer is traced on top of the previous one, repeating the process until the entire part is complete.

Explain Stereolithography (SLA) like I’m 5

Imagine you have a bowl of jelly, and you shine a magic light on it to make only the part you want to keep hard. You keep doing this in layers, building one on top of the other until you have made a whole toy or object.

Why does this matter?

SLA is significant because it allows for very high precision and detail in 3D printing. This makes it ideal for creating complex parts with fine features, which is crucial for industries such as healthcare for medical devices, dental applications, and in the creation of detailed prototypes.

Real Talk

While SLA offers incredible detail and smooth surface finishes, it’s not without its drawbacks. The materials used in SLA can be brittle, limiting the functional use of printed parts. Additionally, post-processing is required to clean and cure the parts, which can be time-consuming and messy. And let’s not forget the cost—both the printers and resins can be quite expensive. Despite its high precision, SLA is not always the best choice for parts that need to endure high stress or impact.