Stereolithography (STL/SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that is particularly suitable for components with high requirements in terms of precision, surface finish, and detail accuracy. Components are cured layer by layer using liquid photopolymer resins such as Accura® Xtreme and Somos® WaterClear Ultra. Layer thicknesses of 0.050 or 0.100 mm enable very fine details.
Areas of application and typical uses
Stereolithography has a wide range of applications: from design studies and presentation models to near-functional prototypes and small series. The process scores highly in rapid prototyping, particularly due to its high precision, geometric freedom, excellent surfaces, flexibility in component sizes, variety of materials, and fast delivery times. This allows realistic prototypes, functional components, and high-quality presentation models to be efficiently implemented.
Typical applications include:
- Functional prototypes in product development
- Master models for molding (vacuum casting)
- High-precision components
- Design studies and presentation models
- Functional components
- Direct production of casting tools
Post-processing and quality levels
1zu1scale offers various quality levels:
- First-Class: High gloss, fine structures, master models for vacuum casting, full-service preparation
- Business Class: Standard quality, master models for vacuum casting with low surface requirements
- Economy Class: Basic model, for design testing and subordinate components without special surface requirements
Work steps include removal of residual material, cleaning, chemical treatment, removal of support structures, grinding, blasting, fitting of assemblies, and optional vacuum casting.
Technical data for stereolithography at 1zu1scale
- System construction space: 750 x 650 x 550 mm
- Materials: Accura® Xtreme & Somos® WaterClear Ultra
- Properties: Transparent, translucent, rigid, flexible, temperature-resistant, high-quality surface finish
- Lead time: 2–5 working days, daily system start-up
FAQs about tereolithography
Stereolithography is a 3D printing process in which liquid photopolymer resins are cured layer by layer using a UV laser. It is used for prototypes, pre-production series, and design models.
Accura® Xtreme and Somos® WaterClear Ultra, as well as other photopolymer resins for different requirements in terms of rigidity, flexibility, transparency, and temperature resistance.
High level of detail, excellent surfaces, geometric freedom, short production times, material diversity, and repeatability.
Stereolithography accuracy is in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter, ideal for fine structures and near-functional prototypes.