SLA

SLA Prototyping

Our Michigan CNC Machining Parts, Inc. SLA services allow you to make 3D printed parts and prototypes in a range of plastics. Prototypes made using this service can be used for engineering testing or as master models for polyurethane vacuum casting molds.  SLA allows the product designer to quickly create complex shapes that cannot be made with conventional subtractive methods. You can also have metal 3D printed parts made using our DMLM service.

What Is SLA?

SLA (stereolithography) is the first of the additive manufacturing processes collectively known as “3D printing”. A special type of liquid plastic is used that reacts with ultraviolet (UV) light to form a solid. An object is created by slowly curing one layer at a time using a programmable UV light source.

Advantages Of SLA

There are advantages and disadvantages to both techniques that should be considered carefully to achieve the desired results.

• SLA produces a part with a good, smooth surface finish and fine resolution. However, SLA is relatively slow, making it unsuited for high volume production.
• Inexpensive compared to other conventional counterparts, requiring no hard tooling as with plastic injection molding.
• SLA models typically have layer thicknesses of .3mm with a lateral deviation of .1mm.
• The advantage of all 3D printing processes is that is easier to create complex pieces that are physically impossible to make with conventional or subtractive manufacturing.