Stereolithography(SLA) 3D Printing Service
If you’re looking for a fast, low-cost way to create demonstration models or test the fit and finish of prototype parts, Elimold’s stereolithography (SLA) printing services are the ideal solution.
Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Supplier
Elimold is at the forefront of Additive Manufacturing (AM), leveraging years of Stereolithography (SLA) experience to turn complex designs into practical realities. With ISO9001 and AS9100 certifications and DDTC/ITAR registration, we combine quality and precision with design and cutting-edge technology. We excel in producing high-precision, smooth-surfaced, waterproof components, and utilize solid and sparse infill techniques to speed up build times and reduce costs for large, lightweight SLA models. We have helped countless customers across multiple industries turn their visions into reality.
Our state-of-the-art SLA printing services combine traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to deliver dimensional accuracy and speed, as well as customizable options to meet the needs of designers, engineers, hobbyists, and novices. Trust Elimold’s SLA resin printing heritage and pioneering spirit to turn your most ambitious designs into reality.
Our SLA Manufacturing Standards
We manufacture your parts according to strict manufacturing standards. Verification of these requirements is included in our inspection report shipped with every order.
- Desktop SLA: A dimensional accuracy of ± 0.5% with a lower limit of ± 0.15 mm (± 0.006″)
- Industrial SLA: A dimensional accuracy ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.127 mm (±0.005″)
- Parts are fully cured to material manufacturer specifications before shipping.
- Hollow sections must be drained of excess resin.
- All support material is removed, and support nibs must are sanded smooth.
| Requirement | Desktop SLA | Industrial SLA |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum build size | 145 × 145 × 175 mm (5.7″ x 5.7″ x 6.8″) | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68″ x 19.68″ x 19.68″) |
| Standard lead time | 2 business days | 4 business days |
| Dimensional accuracy | ± 0.5% with a lower limit of ± 0.15 mm (± 0.006″) | ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.127 mm (±0.005″) |
| Layer height | 50-100 um | 50-100 um |
SLA Printing Equipment
SLA 3D printers come in a wide variety of sizes. The most common machines we use are the large platforms produced by 3D Systems, with large build capabilities of at least 29.5 x 29.5 x 21.65 inches (750 x 750 x 550 mm). Another popular machine from 3D Systems for small, complex parts is the Viper High Resolution machine. It has a build platform of 10” x 10” x 11” (250 mm x 250 mm x 280 mm) and can run at 0.002” layer resolution, with a 5” x 5” build envelope for finer laser targeting for the finest part details and smallest features.
SLA Design & Build Guidelines
Each 3D printing technology is a little different, here are standard guidelines to consider when choosing SLA as your 3D printing process:
- Build Layers: Standard is 0.004”-0.006” (100-150 microns, High Res is 0.002” (50 micron)
- Minimum Wall Thickness & Feature Size: 0.025”
- Standard Finish: Level 2 Bead Blast Finish (see more available custom finishes)
- Standard Lead Time: 2-3 days
- Tolerances: +/- 0.005” for first inch then +/- 0.002” per inch thereafter
- Inserts: Install in post-processing with adhesives
- Holes: Build holes & threads into model for print and chase or ream in finishing
Traditional Technologies That Can Benefit from SLA
If you’re currently leveraging machining or other traditional methods to produce prototype parts, SLA may be an inexpensive and flexible alternative. It’s one of the least expensive 3D printing technologies. It can be used to produce detailed, accurate parts with an excellent surface finish that is perfect for testing fit and finish.
Unlike machined parts, which require fixturing and set-up, parts produced by Elimold’s SLA printing service can be produced quickly at low cost, making them an ideal solution for your rapid prototyping needs.
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SLA Material Options
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) is a widely used general purpose SLA material. In terms of flexibility and strength, this material falls between molded polypropylene and molded ABS, which makes it a good choice for functional prototypes. Parts as large as 29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in. can be built with ABS-Like White so consider it a primary option if you require an extensive part size build envelope.
ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray) is a widely used general purpose SLA material. In terms of flexibility and strength, this material falls between molded polypropylene and molded ABS, which makes it a good choice for functional prototypes. ABS-Like Gray offers the highest HDT of the ABS-like SLA resins.
ABS-Like Black (Accura 7820) is a widely used general purpose material. Its deep black color and glossy up-facing surfaces in a top profile offer the appearance of a molded part, while layer lines may be visible in a side profile. Accura 7820 also has low moisture absorption (0.25% per ASTM D570) so that parts are more dimensionally stable. Compared to other SLA materials, it has midrange values for all mechanical properties.
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122) offers a unique combination of low moisture absorption (0.35% 0.25% per ASTM D570) and near-colorless transparency. Secondary operations are required to achieve functional part clarity, and the part will also retain a very light blue hue afterward. While good for general-purpose applications, WaterShed is the best choice for flow-visualization models, light pipes, and lenses.
MicroFine™ is a custom formulated material available in gray and green that is exclusive to Elimold. This ABS-like thermoset is printed in Protolabs’ customized machinery to achieve high resolution features as small as 0.002 in. MicroFine is ideal for small parts, generally less than 1 in. by 1 in. by 1 in. In terms of mechanical properties, MicroFine falls in the mid-range of SLA materials for tensile strength and modulus and on the low end for impact strength and elongation.
PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120) is the most flexible SLA option outside of Carbon RPU 70 and FPU 50. In direct comparison to the average values of an injection-molded polypropylene, 9120 has similar tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength. The only departure from molded PP is its elongation value, which is only 25% of the molded thermoplastic.
PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530) creates strong, stiff parts with high temperature resistance. A thermal post-cure option can increase HDT as high as 482°F at 0.46 MPa loading. Accura 5530 has the highest E-modulus of all the unfilled SLA materials, and it is known for being resistant to automotive fluids. However, the thermal curing process does make Accura 5530 less durable, resulting in a 50% reduction to elongation.
PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) is an alternative to the general purpose ABS-like materials and WaterShed XC 11122 when stiffness is desired. Like WaterShed, this material can be custom finished to achieve functional transparency with secondary processing. Accura 60 has the highest tensile strength of and elastic modulus compared of all SLA materials outside of the Advanced High Temp options that are most often thermal cured.
Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp (PerFORM) exhibits the highest tensile strength and E-modulus making it the stiffest performance material of the SLA materials. When the thermal cure option is applied to parts made from PerFORM, it exhibits the highest HDT (as high as 514°F at 0.46 MPa loading) of the SLA materials.
True silicone is 100% pure silicone that is available in different shore-A hardness as detailed below. The material is suitable to produce both functional prototypes and end-use products. The material shows high resistance to harsh environments conditions, various acids, bases and nonpolar solvents.
Finishing Options for SLA 3D Printed Parts
Elimold offers a variety of finishing options for SLA parts, including sanding, painting and clear coating. Clear SLA resins can be polished to an optically clear finish.We can provide the following post-processing services for SLA parts:
- Sanded
- Media blasted
- Polished (with optional clearcoat)
- Painted (EMI shield)
- Painted (sand and paint, non-cosmetic)
- Painted (sand and paint, cosmetic)
- Painted (customer spec paint)
- Specialty coating
- Plated
- Decals
- Pad printed
- Screen printed
- Inserts
- Post machined
- Assembly
Applications
Stereolithography 3D printing technology is suitable for an array of applications, including:
- Presentation models.
- Engineering test models
- Metal casting patterns.
- Architectural models.
- Urethane casting patterns.
- Assembly fixtures.
Industry And Parts
- Aerospace
- Medical devices
- Manufacturing master
- patterns
- Automotive
- Electronics
- Orthodontics and dental
- Turbine production
- Automotive interior parts
- Short-run production parts
- Electronic components
- Testing of functional assemblies
- Rigid and durable functional rapid prototypes
- Concept and marketing models
- Accurate, durable master patterns for urethane casting
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What is SLA 3D Printing?
Stereolithography (SLA) is an epoxy-based photopolymer system that utilizes lasers to cure the resin on the cross-sectional area of the part. It begins with a recoating bar that applies a thin layer of resin, then an ultraviolet laser creates an image of the part on that resin. After one layer, this process is repeated until the build is complete.
Once the build is complete, the parts are removed and put into a solvent to remove excess resin. The SLA process uses supports of the same material as the part itself, which have to be manually removed. From there, the parts go through a curing cycle in a UV curing machine.
Why Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printed parts?
- Reduces per-unit costs on low- to medium-sized runs.
- Matches your exact mechanical and optical specifications with the broadest range of materials available.
- Cuts finishing time and enjoy the best surface quality available from any 3D printing.
- Identifies design flaws early with true-to-design accuracy and surface finish.
- Produces large, whole parts and cut both the time required for assembly and part weakness associated with attachment points.
- Streams the path from CAD or scan to final prototype part production.
Comparing 3D Print Technologies
One of the great things about 3D printing is that you have the freedom to choose, whether you plan to print a prototype, logo, or other project. See our guide to FDM vs. SLA vs. SLS printing for a full comparison.
SLA vs FDM
FDM printing is fused deposition modeling, a trademarked name. It also goes by the term fused filament fabrication, or FFF. This form of additive manufacturing is similar in that designs are sliced and printed in layers. However, rather than using liquefied polymers and a laser as in SLA, the material is extruded through a multidirectional print head that contains resistance heat coils. The material is melted for printing. The fine detail of stereolithography is not possible with FDM/FFF printing. Both rely on guidance by CAD/CAM design software. Both offer rapid prototyping and single-unit production for a range of industry and business applications.
SLA vs SLS
SLS Printing or Selective laser sintering, is like SLA in that it prints with a laser. The difference is that the laser is used to fuse dry plastic particles rather than cure liquefied resins into solids. Both 3D printing methods are used for small and large parts.
SLA vs PolyJet
In PolyJet printing, Liquefied polymers are cured by UV light in PolyJet printing, just as in SLA printing. The difference is the polymers are stored in a vat in SLA 3D printing; in PolyJect printing, the polymers are stored in a print head and jetted onto the build platform where they are immediately cured. Both types offer outstanding detail.
Applications of Stereolithography
With a broad range of suitable materials and a rapid turnaround for even complex net-shapes, stereolithography is an ideal tool for a broad range of manufacturing sectors. It is primarily used in auto-engineering, as it enables the cost-effective generation of intricate parts with various surface finishes and fine detailing. Parts can be embossed or engraved, with matte, natural, and myriad other finishes available depending on the manufacturing requirements. While its primary success has been in rapid prototyping and design assistance for the automotive sector, stereolithography is rapidly being adopted at scale in various mechanical modeling sectors.
Why work with Elimold?
With our unrivalled expertise in stereolithography, your project will be in safe hands. We help you take advantage of the flexibility, design freedom and speed of 3D printing to suit your needs, and thanks to our patented Mammoth printer, you can even print parts up to two metres in a single build. When you order online, our NextDay service is available for selected materials and finishes, meaning your model can be printed in as little as 24 hours.
Ready to Get Started?
From design to prototype and production, our team of engineers is ready to help bring your idea to life with SLA 3D printing.