Stereolithography 3D printing service (SLA)

The advantages of stereolithography 3D printing are numerous. This technology enables objects to be created with great precision and resolution, with very fine details and smooth surfaces that are easy to paint. 

Mainly used for the creation of aesthetic demonstration parts, it offers the possibility of creating complex, one-piece parts (via the use of "supports" during printing) of up to 2 meters in length (car shells, dashboards, household appliances). 

These support structures are necessary to allow overhangs to be printed, and a post-print rinsing, sanding and hardening operation is carried out by hand by our teams.

Stereolithography can also be used to create functional, durable parts using a wide range of light-sensitive resins. It is the only technology that offers a transparent resin (PC). 

The main difference between stereolithography (SLA) and the Digital Light Processing (DLP) process is the way the resin is exposed to UV light to cure and form the 3D printed part.

In the stereolithography process, a laser is used to selectively polymerize the photosensitive resin, layer by layer, to form the 3D printed part. 

In the Digital Light Processing process, a UV light source is projected onto a photosensitive surface containing the liquid resin. This UV light is projected onto the resin using a pixel matrix (often a liquid crystal display) to create the shape of the part layer. DLP can project patterns faster than stereolithography's laser.

In addition, the size of the parts to be produced is an essential factor. Stereolithography technology enables the production of large parts, whereas DLP technology is better suited to the mass production of small or even very small parts, but with impressive detail quality.

- Aerospace: Stereolithography is used to manufacture high-precision parts for aircraft, satellites, drones...

- Automotive: The manufacture of prototypes for automotive parts, as well as for the production of spare parts (automotive after-sales service) and accessories.

- Medical: The creation of anatomical models for medical training, as well as for the production of prostheses, tools and other medical devices.

- Engineering: The production of prototypes for mechanical parts, manufacturing and assembly tools, as well as for model/master production.

- Design and architecture: The production of architectural models, consumer product models, jewelry, sculpture and other works of art,

- Electronics: Stereolithography is used to produce protective housings, mounting devices, components and printed circuits.

In short, stereolithography is used in many industrial sectors for the production of functional parts, demonstration prototypes and models. It is particularly useful in industries that demand high precision and surface quality, as well as those requiring the production of parts with complex geometries or requiring large-scale production.