SLA Technology
Stereolithography service
Parts and prototypes with an incredible level of detail. Ideal for the production of models, jewellery, modelling figures and all types of moulds. It is the most suitable solution for designers looking for very aesthetic finishes.
- Accuracy and resolution up to 25 microns guaranteed
SLA - Resin 3D Printing Case Studies
What is SLA 3D printing?
In SLA technology, a laser solidifies a photosensitive liquid resin, building up the model layer by layer. The resulting parts have the best surface finishes and highest resolution of our offer. It is also the ideal technology for the production of scale models and modelling figures, due to its detail and resolution.
Advantages and disadvantages of SLA 3D printing
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Advantages of SLA Technology
- High precision in detailSLA technology offers high accuracy and resolution, making it ideal for detailed parts, intricate details and complex geometries that are difficult to achieve with other manufacturing methods.
- A wide variety of materials: SLA technology has been on the rise for many years and this has enabled the development of many resins that can be used to produce everything from prototypes for the health and dental industry to moulds for jewellery.
- Mechanical isotropy: This means that the layers do not affect the mechanical properties in any direction.
- Print speed: SLA printing is often faster than some other 3D printing technologies, which speeds up projects.
- Smooth surfaces: SLA-printed parts have smooth, high-quality surfaces, reducing the need for post-processing.
Disadvantages of SLA Technology
- Costly: Both printers and resins used in SLA tend to be more expensive compared to some other technologies.
- Limited resistance: Parts printed with SLA can be more fragile and not as robust as those printed with other technologies such as FDM or SLS.
- Exposure to UV light: The photosensitive resin used in SLA is sensitive to ultraviolet light, which may require special care during storage and handling.
- Support required: In some cases, they may require support structures that must be removed manually after printing.
- Limited size:a SLA printers often have limitations on the size of parts that can be printed, which can be a disadvantage for large projects.
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SLA TECHNOLOGY
Very high quality 3D print finishes at unbeatable prices with SLA technology
What materials are used in SLA 3D printing?
This is fundamental to understanding this technology, as the range of options is not as wide as we will see in FDM or SLA.
Basic Grey Resin
This resin is versatile and is commonly used for prototypes and concept models. It offers a smooth surface and precise details.
High Temperature Resin
Designed to withstand high temperatures, it is ideal for applications requiring heat resistance, such as engine parts or industrial components.
Resin 80 A - Flexible
It offers flexibility and impact resistance, making it suitable for elastomeric parts, seals and flexible prototypes. It is mainly used in the healthcare sector.
Resin Model
This resin is perfect for architectural and design models, as it allows the creation of detailed models with high precision. It is widely used in the dental and healthcare sectors.
Castable Resin
Designed specifically for casting, this resin allows the creation of models that can be used to produce metal parts through casting processes. It is used in jewellery.
Durable Resin
It offers excellent durability and abrasion resistance, making it suitable for functional and mechanical parts. Ideal for medical prototypes.
Resin Clear
This transparent resin is ideal for applications requiring visualisation of internal details or for transparent prototyping. It is best suited for transparent prototypes.
TESTIMONIALS
Customer stories
"One of the few companies that is a pleasure to work with. Thank you for your services. I will certainly continue to use your services (...)".
Néstor Grande
Art Director at Montiego
ADDITIUM 3D has done some exceptional printing work for me. They scanned my parts and printed them in superior quality.
They have also printed pieces downloaded from public libraries which have been very useful for my models and scale models. They are fast in execution and delivery.
Paco Niederleytner
Founder
Order received correctly. They were able to capture exactly the idea I asked for. Everything perfect and very friendly!
Maria Pallas
Founder
Spectacular work and treatment. Couldn't have looked better!
Alberto Artola
Founder
Frequently asked questions
FAQS 3D SLA PRINTING
If what the client is looking for is a maximum level of detail and precision, Additium3D always recommends without a second thought the use of SLA technology, or stereolithography. This manufacturing technique, patented in 1984, consists of the photopolymerisation of a resin sensitive to ultraviolet rays by means of a laser, which solidifies layer by layer to form the desired 3D model.
In order to offer the best possible service, Additium3D uses Formlabs technology with Form3+ equipment that has unique properties on the market. The Form3+ is the result of a constant evolution over a decade to reach an equipment that offers on the one hand an unsurpassed surface quality thanks to its precision and the
Improved fine point supports; and demoulding and post-processing that makes it much easier to achieve clean and well-treated models, as long as it is under the control of skilled hands like those of the Additium3D team.
As with any 3D printing process, it all starts with the 3D design of the model to be printed and its export to an .STL format needed to work on the printing platforms.
Once the 3D model was made in .STL format, we used the Preform software to configure and maximise the printing space of 14.5×14.5×18.5 cm and minimise the necessary supports that support the print and that do not mark a surface with a resolution of up to 25 microns.
Once the printing is configured and after making sure that we have the necessary resin in the tank and we have completed the steps requested by the printer, we proceed to print our prototypes.
Once the manufacturing process is finished, it is time for the appropriate post-processing to obtain the best final quality. This process begins first in the Form Wash, a tank of Isopropyl Alcohol in which the 3D printed prototypes are immersed to remove resin residues and leave a clean piece.
Once this process of approximately 10 minutes is finished, we demould the pieces and introduce the prototypes into the Form Cure, an Ultraviolet oven in which we treat the 3D printed models for 30 minutes. In this way we get the material to reach its optimum properties. From here, Additium 3D applies its techniques developed over a decade of working with this technology to achieve the best possible finish for the parts.
As we told you in the first Blog post about SLA Technology and how Additium3D uses it to make prints with an amazing level of definition and detail.
SLA technology uses photosensitive resins that can vary in composition and properties. These resins are cured by exposure to UV light and are available in a wide variety of types, including standard, high-temperature, transparent, flexible and other resins.
In an SLA printer, a platform dips a layer of photosensitive liquid resin. Then, a UV laser is used to selectively solidify specific areas of the resin layer, creating a single layer of the part. The process is repeated layer by layer until the print is complete.
The main difference between an FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) printer and an SLA printer is the manufacturing method. FDM uses thermoplastic filament that is extruded and solidified layer by layer, while SLA uses liquid resin that is cured with UV light. SLA tends to offer greater precision and fine detail, while FDM is known for its versatility and lower costs in some cases.