Standard resins are the most commonly used and provide a good balance of cost and performance for general prototyping and production applications. They create rigid plastic parts with properties similar to injection-molded plastics.Standard SLA resins are affordable materials that create solid, high-quality parts with a smooth surface finish, making them a popular choice for rapid prototyping. Standard resins also have unique relationships between color and properties. For instance, white resin is ideal for parts that need a sleek surface finish, while gray resin is more suitable for parts with complex features.
Dental and Jewelry: Excellent for producing detailed models and castable parts.
Produces detailed and accurate parts with fine features.
Comparable to traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding.
Cost-effective option for various prototyping needs.
white resin provides a smoother finish, while gray resin is better for intricate details.
Mechanical Properties: Good tensile and flexural strength, but can be brittle under high stress.
SLA 3D printing is widely used for rapid prototyping due to its ability to produce highly accurate and detailed parts with smooth surface finishes. The dimensional accuracy of ±0.1 mm and feature resolution as low as 0.05 mm (50 microns) make SLA ideal for creating prototypes that closely resemble the final product. The high resolution and smooth surface finish eliminate the need for extensive post-processing, saving time and costs.
The exceptional detail resolution and accuracy of SLA printing make it suitable for creating dental models, surgical guides, and customized medical devices. Biocompatible resins can be used to print dental models, clear aligners, and temporary crowns and bridges. In the medical field, SLA is used to produce customized implants, prosthetics, and anatomical models for surgical planning and training.
The aerospace and automotive industries leverage SLA printing for producing functional prototypes, tooling, and end-use parts. The high dimensional accuracy and smooth surface finish of SLA-printed parts make them suitable for applications such as wind tunnel testing, fit and form testing, and creating intricate components. SLA is also used for producing high-quality patterns for investment casting and creating customized end-use parts for low-volume production runs.