Stereolithography - SLA
Using a 3D digital image as a source, SLA builts an object slice by slice from the bottom to the top. Stereolithography uses a vat filled with liquid photopolymer resin. This material has the property that when light of the correct color strikes it. it turns from a liquid to a solid.
The laser beam of the stereolithography machine moves over the surface of the liquid photopolymer to trace the geometry of the cross-section of the object. This causes the liquid to harden in areas where the laser strikes.
Stereolithography is considered to provide the greatest accuracy and the best surface finish of any rapid prototyping technology. The growing demand for very large functional prototypes can be fulfiled by special designed stereolithography machines.
Stereolithography is an excellent solution for:
- presentation models with smooth surfaces and fine detailing
- prototypes for limited functional testing
- visual prototypes for checking 3D images
- masters for copying techniques (reaction injection moulding and vacuum casting)
Prototype techniques
Sotopia concepts offers various rapid prototype techniques:
Stereolithography (SLA) - Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) - 3D printing - Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)