SLA Printing
SLA - Stereolithography
Process Description Stereolithography (SLA) involves a laser that is directed at a scanning system comprised of motors and mirrors. The scanning system focuses the laser beam to draw precise patterns onto the surface of a vat of liquid resin. The laser beam causes the resin to cure (harden) only where the pattern is drawn. After each layer is completed, the platform lowers a fraction of an inch and the recoater spreads the resin evenly over the part. This continues layer by layer until the part is finished. The SLA process requires the printer to build support structures while printing. These are broken or cut away when printing is complete.
Benefits
Disadvantages
-
- Some support material removal - Higher cost of entry - Less office friendly due to liquid resin use
Smooth surface finish High precision High throughput Wide variety of material Low cost per part in production
General Applications -
Design Evaluation Models (Form and Fit) Proof of Concept Prototypes Design Appearance Models Wind-Tunnel Test Models
-
Engineering Proving Models (Design Verification) Investment Casting Patterns Jigs and Fixtures Best for water resistant materials
3D Systems SLA Printers -
ProJet 6000 ProJet 7000 iPro 8000 ProX 950
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
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SLA - Materials Accura materials are for use with 3D Systems Production SLA printers. VisiJet Materials are for use with 3D Systems Professional SLA printers.
Available Materials
Name
Features Look and feel of molded polypropylene
Accura 25
Highly flexible with excellent shape retention Outstanding feature resolution and accuracy
Temperature resistant to 130C (266F) Accura 48HTR
High humidity and moisture resistance High rigidity Low viscosity formulation
Durable and rigid material Look and feel of molded ABS Accura 55
High accuracy with less distortion High production speed Low viscosity formulation
Durable and stiff High Clarity Accura 60
Applications
More Info
Functional components for snap fit assemblies and mock-ups Master patterns for RTV/ silicone molding
Click Here
Short-run plastic parts Simulate injection molded parts Automotive Testing Electronic controls prototypes Aerospace wind tunnel models
Click Here
High rigidity models Long lived prototypes Automotive interior components Short-run production parts Electronic components
Click Here
Functional assembly testing Accurate, durable master patterns for urethane casting Tough functional prototypes Lighting components
Fast build speed
Fluid flow and visualization
Low viscosity formulation
transparent assemblies
Click Here
Clear display and marketing models
Accura ABS Black
Black color Highly accurate and robust parts
Automotive, consumer packaging, electronics housings, toys
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
Click Here
9
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name
Features White color
Accura ABS White
Accurate and tough parts Dimensionally stable
Accura Amethyst
Patterns for use with low and high vulcanizing rubber molding
High thermal resistance
High temp resistance High humidity resistance
Low viscosity Humidity and moisture stable Improved thermal expansion characteristics Fast photospeed Produce accurate QuickCast patterns Excellent humidity and moisture resistance Free of antimony for cleaner burnout
Accura CeraMAX Composite
Ceramic-reinforced composite plastic for excellent thermal, moisture and abrasion resistance Extremely rigid
Accura ClearVue
Click Here
Outstanding accuracy and detail
Non-settling formulation
Accura CastPro Free
Vacuum casting, Master Patterns, concept models, functional prototypes, general parts Jewelry Manufacturing
Exceptional stiffness and accuracy
Accura CastPro
More Info
Purple color
Low ash formulation
Accura Bluestone
Applications
Click Here
High resolution concept models Under-the-hood automotive parts Wind-tunnel testing CMM/inspection and assembly jigs
Click Here
Housings and enclosures with high rigidity requirements Foundry applications Production and prototype investment castings
Click Here
Compatible with most metals
Durable general purpose applications Master patterns, concept models, functional prototypes
Click Here
Heat and wear resistant components Stiff/Rigid assemblies Aesthetic components for art and archival models
Click Here
Automotive and aerospace parts
Highest clarity and transparency
High clarity headlamps and lenses
Durable and strong
Fluid flow and visualizations
Humidity and moisture stable
Transparent assemblies
USP class VI capable
Snap fit models
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
Click Here
10
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name
Features
Applications
More Info
Clear and transparent Rigid and tough Accura ClearVue Free
Excellent humidity and moisture resistance Higher quality investment casting Durable and accurate
Accura e-Stone
Selection of color Digital production
High stiffness and accuracy Accura Peak
Best in class moisture stability Elevated temperature resistance
Headlamps, bottles and transparent assemblies Casting masters for investment casting parts
Click Here
Replacement for dental stone Crown and bridge restorations
Click Here
Orthodontic working and study models High temp requirements Testing water and fluid handling components
Click Here
Wind tunnel models Master patterns
Outstanding accuracy
Accura Sapphire
0.025mm layer thickness capability High contrast deep blue color
Jewelry manufacturing Models requiring high detail
Click Here
Low ash formulation White color Accura SL 7840
Durable and accurate polypropylene-like material
Look and feels like molded plastic Accura Extreme
Snap fit assemblies Consumer electronic enclosures
Thermal resistance over 60C
Master patterns for RTV/ Silicone molding
Exceptionally tough and durable Resists breakage and handles challenging assemblies
Click Here
Form, fit, and function prototypes
High durability and impact resistance
Low viscosity formulation
Accura Xtreme White 200
Concept models, functional prototypes, and snap fit models
Click Here
Replace CNC machining of polypropylene and ABS Snap fit, assemblies, and demanding applications Master patterns for vacuum casting
Click Here
Replacement for CNC Machined polypropylene and ABS applications
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
11
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name VisiJet FTX Green
Features Developed specifically for the ProJet 1200 Burns clean for ash-free castings
Applications
More Info
Dental and jewelry prototype casting
Click Here
Black color VisiJet SL Black
ABS look and feel Smooth surface finish High strength and dimensional stability
Automotive and consumer good prototyping
Click Here
Electronics housings
Polycarbonate look and feel VisiJet SL Clear
Water-Clear appearance Stiff and durable
Transparent “see-through” prototype applications
Click Here
USP Class VI capable Extreme accuracy VisiJet SL e-Stone
Optimized for dental Replaces dental stone for Orthodontic working and study models
Crown and bridge restorations Orthodontic thermoforming
Click Here
Working models for partial frameworks
White color VisiJet SL Flex
Polypropylene-like look and feel
Snap fit assemblies
Click Here
High flexibility High temp resistance to 130C (266F) VisiJet SL HiTemp
High rigidity Translucent Humidity and chemically resistant White color
VisiJet SL Impact
VisiJet SL Jewel
PP/ABS-like performance Exceptionally tough and durable
Under-the-hood component testing Hight temp automotive prototypes
Click Here
Long-term prototype testing Challenging functional assemblies and demanding applications
Click Here
Small lot direct manufacturing
High contrast blue color
Direct casting of jewelery patterns
Excellent resolution and accuracy
Models requiring high detail
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
Click Here
12
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name
Features Grey color
VisiJet SL Tough
PP/ABS-like performance High durability and impact strength
Applications Form, fit, and function testing Master patterns for RTV/ Silicone molding
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
More Info Click Here
13
Process Description Stereolithography (SLA) involves a laser that is directed at a scanning system comprised of motors and mirrors. The scanning system focuses the laser beam to draw precise patterns onto the surface of a vat of liquid resin. The laser beam causes the resin to cure (harden) only where the pattern is drawn. After each layer is completed, the platform lowers a fraction of an inch and the recoater spreads the resin evenly over the part. This continues layer by layer until the part is finished. The SLA process requires the printer to build support structures while printing. These are broken or cut away when printing is complete.
Benefits
Disadvantages
-
- Some support material removal - Higher cost of entry - Less office friendly due to liquid resin use
Smooth surface finish High precision High throughput Wide variety of material Low cost per part in production
General Applications -
Design Evaluation Models (Form and Fit) Proof of Concept Prototypes Design Appearance Models Wind-Tunnel Test Models
-
Engineering Proving Models (Design Verification) Investment Casting Patterns Jigs and Fixtures Best for water resistant materials
3D Systems SLA Printers -
ProJet 6000 ProJet 7000 iPro 8000 ProX 950
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
8
SLA - Materials Accura materials are for use with 3D Systems Production SLA printers. VisiJet Materials are for use with 3D Systems Professional SLA printers.
Available Materials
Name
Features Look and feel of molded polypropylene
Accura 25
Highly flexible with excellent shape retention Outstanding feature resolution and accuracy
Temperature resistant to 130C (266F) Accura 48HTR
High humidity and moisture resistance High rigidity Low viscosity formulation
Durable and rigid material Look and feel of molded ABS Accura 55
High accuracy with less distortion High production speed Low viscosity formulation
Durable and stiff High Clarity Accura 60
Applications
More Info
Functional components for snap fit assemblies and mock-ups Master patterns for RTV/ silicone molding
Click Here
Short-run plastic parts Simulate injection molded parts Automotive Testing Electronic controls prototypes Aerospace wind tunnel models
Click Here
High rigidity models Long lived prototypes Automotive interior components Short-run production parts Electronic components
Click Here
Functional assembly testing Accurate, durable master patterns for urethane casting Tough functional prototypes Lighting components
Fast build speed
Fluid flow and visualization
Low viscosity formulation
transparent assemblies
Click Here
Clear display and marketing models
Accura ABS Black
Black color Highly accurate and robust parts
Automotive, consumer packaging, electronics housings, toys
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
Click Here
9
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name
Features White color
Accura ABS White
Accurate and tough parts Dimensionally stable
Accura Amethyst
Patterns for use with low and high vulcanizing rubber molding
High thermal resistance
High temp resistance High humidity resistance
Low viscosity Humidity and moisture stable Improved thermal expansion characteristics Fast photospeed Produce accurate QuickCast patterns Excellent humidity and moisture resistance Free of antimony for cleaner burnout
Accura CeraMAX Composite
Ceramic-reinforced composite plastic for excellent thermal, moisture and abrasion resistance Extremely rigid
Accura ClearVue
Click Here
Outstanding accuracy and detail
Non-settling formulation
Accura CastPro Free
Vacuum casting, Master Patterns, concept models, functional prototypes, general parts Jewelry Manufacturing
Exceptional stiffness and accuracy
Accura CastPro
More Info
Purple color
Low ash formulation
Accura Bluestone
Applications
Click Here
High resolution concept models Under-the-hood automotive parts Wind-tunnel testing CMM/inspection and assembly jigs
Click Here
Housings and enclosures with high rigidity requirements Foundry applications Production and prototype investment castings
Click Here
Compatible with most metals
Durable general purpose applications Master patterns, concept models, functional prototypes
Click Here
Heat and wear resistant components Stiff/Rigid assemblies Aesthetic components for art and archival models
Click Here
Automotive and aerospace parts
Highest clarity and transparency
High clarity headlamps and lenses
Durable and strong
Fluid flow and visualizations
Humidity and moisture stable
Transparent assemblies
USP class VI capable
Snap fit models
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
Click Here
10
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name
Features
Applications
More Info
Clear and transparent Rigid and tough Accura ClearVue Free
Excellent humidity and moisture resistance Higher quality investment casting Durable and accurate
Accura e-Stone
Selection of color Digital production
High stiffness and accuracy Accura Peak
Best in class moisture stability Elevated temperature resistance
Headlamps, bottles and transparent assemblies Casting masters for investment casting parts
Click Here
Replacement for dental stone Crown and bridge restorations
Click Here
Orthodontic working and study models High temp requirements Testing water and fluid handling components
Click Here
Wind tunnel models Master patterns
Outstanding accuracy
Accura Sapphire
0.025mm layer thickness capability High contrast deep blue color
Jewelry manufacturing Models requiring high detail
Click Here
Low ash formulation White color Accura SL 7840
Durable and accurate polypropylene-like material
Look and feels like molded plastic Accura Extreme
Snap fit assemblies Consumer electronic enclosures
Thermal resistance over 60C
Master patterns for RTV/ Silicone molding
Exceptionally tough and durable Resists breakage and handles challenging assemblies
Click Here
Form, fit, and function prototypes
High durability and impact resistance
Low viscosity formulation
Accura Xtreme White 200
Concept models, functional prototypes, and snap fit models
Click Here
Replace CNC machining of polypropylene and ABS Snap fit, assemblies, and demanding applications Master patterns for vacuum casting
Click Here
Replacement for CNC Machined polypropylene and ABS applications
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
11
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name VisiJet FTX Green
Features Developed specifically for the ProJet 1200 Burns clean for ash-free castings
Applications
More Info
Dental and jewelry prototype casting
Click Here
Black color VisiJet SL Black
ABS look and feel Smooth surface finish High strength and dimensional stability
Automotive and consumer good prototyping
Click Here
Electronics housings
Polycarbonate look and feel VisiJet SL Clear
Water-Clear appearance Stiff and durable
Transparent “see-through” prototype applications
Click Here
USP Class VI capable Extreme accuracy VisiJet SL e-Stone
Optimized for dental Replaces dental stone for Orthodontic working and study models
Crown and bridge restorations Orthodontic thermoforming
Click Here
Working models for partial frameworks
White color VisiJet SL Flex
Polypropylene-like look and feel
Snap fit assemblies
Click Here
High flexibility High temp resistance to 130C (266F) VisiJet SL HiTemp
High rigidity Translucent Humidity and chemically resistant White color
VisiJet SL Impact
VisiJet SL Jewel
PP/ABS-like performance Exceptionally tough and durable
Under-the-hood component testing Hight temp automotive prototypes
Click Here
Long-term prototype testing Challenging functional assemblies and demanding applications
Click Here
Small lot direct manufacturing
High contrast blue color
Direct casting of jewelery patterns
Excellent resolution and accuracy
Models requiring high detail
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
Click Here
12
SLA - Materials Available Materials
Name
Features Grey color
VisiJet SL Tough
PP/ABS-like performance High durability and impact strength
Applications Form, fit, and function testing Master patterns for RTV/ Silicone molding
3D SYSTEMS PRINTING PROCESS AND MATERIAL GUIDE - 09/17/14
More Info Click Here
13
