Stereolithography

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Stereolithography is one of the more commonly used rapid manufacturing and rapid prototyping technologies. It is considered to provide high accuracy and good surface finish. The devices used to perform stereolithography are called SLAs or Stereolithography Apparatus(es).

[edit] Technology description

Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process utilizing a vat of UV-sensitive photopolymer and a laser to build parts a layer at a time. Each part is traced by the laser beam on the surface of the UV-sensitive photopolymer, solidifying it. After a layer has been traced, the movable elevator submerges the part by a single layer thickness, typically 0.002" to 0.006", and sweeps a blade filled with photopolymer ("resin") across the part to deposit fresh material. On this new liquid surface the subsequent layer is traced, adhering to the previous layer. A complete 3D part is formed by this process. After building, parts are cleaned of excess resin by immersion in a chemical bath and then cured in a uv-oven.

Stereolithography requires the use of support structures to attach the part to the movable elevator and to prevent certain geometry from deflecting due to gravity. Supports are generated automatically during the preparation of 3D CAD models for use on the stereolithography machine, although they may be manipulated manually. Supports must be removed from the finished product manually; this is not true for all rapid prototyping technologies.

[edit] External links

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