Stereolithography (SLA) Resin 3D Printing Service
Accelerate your path from concept to production with SLA. Iterate early with confidence, then transition seamlessly to production-quality parts
Certifications ISO 9001:2015 | ISO 13485:2016 | AS9100D | IATF 16949
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What is Stereolithgraphy?
Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing process used to create concept models, cosmetic prototypes, and complex parts with intricate geometries. It's an additive manufacturing technology that forms parts by curing thermoset resin with a UV laser. A wide selection of materials, extremely high feature resolutions, and quality surface finishes are possible with SLA.
SLA 3D printing is primarily used for:
- parts requiring high accuracy and features as small as 0.002 in.
- good surface quality for cosmetic prototypes
- form and fit testing
When to Use SLA Throughout Product Development
Use SLA across every stage of development by starting with cost-effective materials for early iteration, then progressing to production-ready resins as your design is finalized.
Early Stage: Concept & Iteration
Use cost-effective, ABS-Like Value resin to quickly explore and refine designs:
- Lower-cost resin enables design iterations
- Fast builds support rapid concept validation
- Ideal for early-stage form and geometry exploration
Validation Stage: Form, Fit, & Function
Transition to higher-resolution SLA builds and improved finishes as your design stabilizes:
- Validate form, fit, and functional requirements
- Improve surface quality for realistic prototypes
- Prepare designs for downstream processes
Production Stage: End-use Parts
Move to advanced SLA materials and finishing options once your design is finalized:
- Use performance-oriented resins suited for end-use
- Achieve consistent, repeatable part quality
- Apply finishing processes for production-level appearance and performance
How Engineers Use SLA Across the Product Lifecycle
Engineers rely on SLA throughout product development for its ability to deliver precise, repeatable parts, from early concept models to production-ready components.
Precision for Complex Geometry
Produce fine features and intricate details early in the design process while accurately capturing design intent without simplifying geometry and maintaining dimensional accuracy across iterations.
Surface Quality for Realistic Validation
Achieve smooth surfaces for cosmetic and functional prototypes, reduce post-processing in early and mid stages, and enable more accurate evaluation of fit, finish, and appearance.
Material Range that Scales
Start with cost-effective, general-purpose resins for early iteration, transition to engineering-grade materials for validation, and move to performance-oriented resins for end-use applications.
Repeatability from Prototype to Production
Ensure consistent part quality across builds, support reliable testing and validation cycles, and scale to low-volume production without changing processes.
Stereolithography (SLA) Design Guidelines and Capabilities
Our basic guidelines for stereolithography include important design considerations to help improve part manufacturability, enhance cosmetic appearance, and reduce overall production time.
US | Metric | |
| Normal Resolution | 29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in. * | 736mm x 635mm x 533mm |
|---|---|---|
| High Resolution | 10 in. x 10 in. x 10 in. | 254mm x 254mm x 254mm |
| Micro Resolution | 5 in. x 5 in. x 2.5 in. | 127mm x 127mm x 63.5mm |
There are three different resolutions available for SLA 3D printing.
US | Metric | |
| Normal Resolution | 0.004 in. | 0.1016mm |
|---|---|---|
| High Resolution | 0.002 in. | 0.0508mm |
| Micro Resolution | 0.001 in. | 0.0254mm |
US | Metric | |
| Normal Resolution | X-Y: 0.010 in. Z: 0.016 in. | X-Y: 0.254mm Z: 0.406mm |
|---|---|---|
| High Resolution | X-Y: 0.005 in. Z: 0.016 in. | X-Y: 0.1016mm Z: 0.406mm |
| Micro Resolution | X-Y: 0.0025 in. Z: 0.008 in. | X-Y: 0.0635mm Z: 0.203mm |
US | Metric | |
| Normal Resolution | 0.010 in. | 0.254mm |
|---|---|---|
| High Resolution | 0.004 in. | 0.1016mm |
| Micro Resolution | 0.0025 in. | .0635mm |
US | Metric | |
| Normal Resolution | 0.025 in. | 0.635mm |
|---|---|---|
| High Resolution | 0.020 in. | 0.508mm |
| Micro Resolution | 0.015 in | 0.381mm |
Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Tolerances
For well-designed parts, tolerances in the X/Y dimension of ±0.002 in. (0.05mm) for first inch plus 0.1% of nominal length. (0.001mm/mm), and Z dimension tolerances of ±0.005 in. for first inch plus 0.1% of nominal length, can typically be achieved. Note that tolerances may change depending on part geometry.
*Available for the following materials: ABS-Like White and Gray, and ABS-Like Translucent/Clear.
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Compare SLA Material Properties
| Material | Color | Tensile Strength | Tensile Modulus | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) | White | 7.9 ksi | 479 ksi | 9% |
| ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray) | Gray | 5.8 ksi | 290 ksi | 9% |
| ABS-Like Black (Accura 7820) | Black | 7.0 ksi | 435 ksi | 5% |
| ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122) | Translucent/Clear | 7.9 ksi | 421 ksi | 6% |
| MicroFine™ (Gray and Green) | Gray or Green | 8.7 ksi | 377 ksi | 8% |
| ABS-Like Value (N3D-MODEL333) | Blue | 8.7 ksi | 310 ksi | 10% |
| PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120) | Translucent/White | 5.0 ksi | 232 ksi | 25% |
| PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) | Translucent/Clear | 10.8 ksi | 508 ksi | 7% |
| PC-Like Advanced High Temp* (Accura 5530) | Translucent/Amber | 6.5 ksi | 566 ksi | 1.5% |
| Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp* (PerFORM) | White | 10.9 ksi | 1,523 ksi | 1% |
| True Silicone | Translucent White | 0.711 ksi | n/a | >1,000% |
*Properties listed are based on thermal cure
| Material | Color | Tensile Strength | Tensile Modulus | Elongation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) | White | 54.47 Mpa | 3300 Mpa | 9% |
| ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray) | Gray | 39.98 Mpa | 2000 Mpa | 9% |
| ABS-Like Black (RenShape SL7820) | Black | 48.26 Mpa | 3000 Mpa | 5% |
| ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122) | Translucent/Clear | 54.47 Mpa | 2600 Mpa | 6% |
| MicroFine™ (Gray and Green) | Gray or Green | 59.98 Mpa | 2600 Mpa | 8% |
| ABS-Like Value (N3D-MODEL333) | Blue | 60 MPa | 2150 MPa | 10% |
| PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120) | Translucent/White | 34.47 Mpa | 1600 Mpa | 25% |
| PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) | Translucent/Clear | 74.46 Mpa | 3503 Mpa | 7% |
| PC-Like Advanced High Temp* (Accura 5530) | Translucent/Amber | 44.81 Mpa | 3902 Mpa | 1.5% |
| Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp* (PerFORM) | White | 75.15 Mpa | 10,500 Mpa | 1% |
| True Silicone | Translucent White | 4.9 Mpa | n/a | >1,000% |
*Properties listed are based on thermal cure
These figures are approximate and dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to, machine and process parameters. The information provided is therefore not binding and not deemed to be certified. When performance is critical, also consider independent lab testing of additive materials or final parts.
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| Unfinished | Dots, or standing “nibs,” remain evident on the bottom of the part from the support structure remnants. Good for when fast lead times are required or cost is a factor |
|---|---|
| Natural | Supported surfaces are sanded down to eliminate the support nibs. |
| Standard | Supported surfaces are sanded, and the entire part is finely blasted for a consistent look. Note that the layers are still present. |
| Custom | Soft-touch paint, clear part finishing, painting, masking, color matching, decals/graphic, and texture finishes are available. |
Material: ABS-like Translucent/Clear Finish: Unfinished
Material: ABS-like Translucent/Clear
Finish: Standard
Material: ABS-like Translucent/Clear
Finish: Natural
Material: ABS-like Translucent/Clear
Finish: Custom
Material: MicroFine Gray™
Finish: Unfinished
Material: MicroFine Gray™
Finish: Standard
Material: MicroFine Gray™
Finish: Natural
Material: MicroFine Gray™
Finish: Custom
Additional Finishing Options for Stereolithography
Custom finishing is a mix of science, technology, and fine art that can transform a part to your exact specifications. Finishes include:
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Metal Plating
Our metal-plating process for SLA coats a ceramic-filled PC-like material (Somos PerFORM) with a nickel that gives parts the look, feel, and strength of metal, but without the weight. The combination of the material’s strength, rigidity, and temperature resistance with nickel plating, takes strength, stiffness, and impact and temperature resistance to a degree previously unattainable in SLA parts.
Microfluidics
Our microfluidic fabrication process is a modified form of high-resolution SLA that uses a clear ABS-like material (WaterShed XC 11122). Parts are resistance to water and humidity, and work well for lens and flow-visualization models.
Our SLA 3D Printers
Our stereolithography machines consists of Vipers, ProJets, and iPros. In high-resolution mode, Vipers and ProJets can make parts with extremely tiny features and crisp details, while in normal-resolution mode, they can build cost-effective parts very quickly.
iPros have extremely large build volumes at 29 in. by 25 in. by 21 in. (736mm by 635mm by 533mm), yet are still able to image highly detailed parts easily.
How Does SLA 3D Printing Work?
The SLA machine begins drawing the layers of the support structures, followed by the part itself, with an ultraviolet laser aimed onto the surface of a liquid thermoset resin. After a layer is imaged on the resin surface, the build platform shifts down and a recoating bar moves across the platform to apply the next layer of resin. The process is repeated layer by layer until the build is complete.
Newly built parts are taken out of machine and into a lab where solvents are used to remove any additional resins. When the parts are completely clean, the support structures are manually removed. From there, parts undergo a UV-curing cycle to fully solidify the outer surface of the part. The final step in the SLA process is the application of any custom or customer-specified finishing. Parts built in SLA should be used with minimal UV and humidity exposure so they don’t degrade.
Additional Resources About Stereolithography (SLA)
Stiffness vs. Strength: Definitions & Comparisons for Better Performing Parts
