Stereolithography (SLA) Resin 3D Printing Service

SLA 3D printing service for rapid prototyping. Multiple thermoset resin materials available. Get an instant online quote.
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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

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.

Max Part Size

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
Layer Thickness

US

Metric
Normal Resolution 0.004 in. 0.1016mm
High Resolution 0.002 in. 0.0508mm
Micro Resolution 0.001 in. 0.0254mm
Minimum Feature Size

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

 
Minimum Wall Thickness

US

Metric
Normal Resolution 0.010 in. 0.254mm
High Resolution 0.004 in. 0.1016mm
Micro Resolution 0.0025 in. .0635mm
Minimum Hole Size

US

Metric
Normal Resolution 0.025 in. 0.635mm
High Resolution 0.020 in. 0.508mm
Micro Resolution 0.015 in 0.381mm

 
SLA 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, ABS-Like Translucent/Clear, and PC-Like Translucent/Clear

Compare Material Properties

SLA Material Options

1ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200)
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200) is a widely used general purpose SLA material. In terms of flexibility and strength, this material falls between molded polypropylene and molded ABS, which makes it a good choice for functional prototypes. Parts as large as 29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in. can be built with ABS-Like White so consider it a primary option if you require an extensive part size build envelope.

Primary Benefits
Durable, general purpose resin
Accommodates extra-large parts
2ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray)
ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray) is a widely used general purpose SLA material. In terms of flexibility and strength, this material falls between molded polypropylene and molded ABS, which makes it a good choice for functional prototypes. ABS-Like Gray offers the highest HDT of the ABS-like SLA resins.

Primary Benefits
Durable, general purpose resin
Highest HDT of the ABS-like SLA resins
3ABS-Like Black (Accura 7820)
ABS-Like Black (Accura 7820) is a widely used general purpose material. Its deep black color and glossy up-facing surfaces in a top profile offer the appearance of a molded part, while layer lines may be visible in a side profile. Accura 7820 also has low moisture absorption (0.25% per ASTM D570) so that parts are more dimensionally stable. Compared to other SLA materials, it has midrange values for all mechanical properties.

Primary Benefits
Low moisture absorption
Glossy cosmetic appearance
4ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122)
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122) offers a unique combination of low moisture absorption (0.35% 0.25% per ASTM D570) and near-colorless transparency. Secondary operations are required to achieve functional part clarity, and the part will also retain a very light blue hue afterward. While good for general-purpose applications, WaterShed is the best choice for flow-visualization models, light pipes, and lenses.

Primary Benefits
Lowest moisture absorption of SLA resins
Functional transparency
5MicroFine™ (Gray and Green)
MicroFine™ is a custom formulated material available in gray and green that is exclusive to Protolabs. This ABS-like thermoset is printed in Protolabs’ customized machinery to achieve high resolution features as small as 0.002 in. MicroFine is ideal for small parts, generally less than 1 in. by 1 in. by 1 in. In terms of mechanical properties, MicroFine falls in the mid-range of SLA materials for tensile strength and modulus and on the low end for impact strength and elongation.

Primary Benefits
Produces highest resolution parts
Ideal for extra-small parts
6PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120)
PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120) is the most flexible SLA option outside of Carbon RPU 70 and FPU 50. In direct comparison to the average values of an injection-molded polypropylene, 9120 has similar tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength. The only departure from molded PP is its elongation value, which is only 25% of the molded thermoplastic.

Primary Benefits
Semi-flexible
Translucency
7PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530)
PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530) creates strong, stiff parts with high temperature resistance. A thermal post-cure option can increase HDT as high as 482°F at 0.46 MPa loading. Accura 5530 has the highest E-modulus of all the unfilled SLA materials, and it is known for being resistant to automotive fluids. However, the thermal curing process does make Accura 5530 less durable, resulting in a 50% reduction to elongation.

Primary Benefits
High elastic modulus
Higher resistance to heated fluids
8PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60)
PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60) is an alternative to the general purpose ABS-like materials and WaterShed XC 11122 when stiffness is desired. Like WaterShed, this material can be custom finished to achieve functional transparency with secondary processing. Accura 60 has the highest tensile strength of and elastic modulus compared of all SLA materials outside of the Advanced High Temp options that are most often thermal cured.

Primary Benefits
High stiffness
Functional transparency
9Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp (PerFORM)
Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp (PerFORM) exhibits the highest tensile strength and E-modulus making it the stiffest performance material of the SLA materials. When the thermal cure option is applied to parts made from PerFORM, it exhibits the highest HDT (as high as 514°F at 0.46 MPa loading) of the SLA materials.

Primary Benefits
Stiffest SLA resin
Highest HDT of SLA resins
10True Silicone
True silicone is 100% pure silicone that is available in different shore-A hardness as detailed below. The material is suitable to produce both functional prototypes and end-use products. The material shows high resistance to harsh environments conditions, various acids, bases and nonpolar solvents.

Compare SLA Material Properties

US
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%
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
Metric
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%
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.

 

Surface Finish Options for SLA Parts

 

 
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

Custom finishing is a mix of science, technology, and fine art that can transform a part to your exact specifications. Finishes include:

  • Soft-touch paint
  • Clear part finishing
  • Paint finishes
  • Masking
  • Color matching
  • Decals/graphic
  • Texture

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.

Why Use SLA?

Stereolithography (SLA) is an additive manufacturing process that can 3D print parts with small features, tight tolerance requirements, and smooth surface finishes.

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 Links and Resources

11 Tips to Reduce Injection Molding Costs

Stretch your budget with these injection molding design recommendations. Quick hint: Simplify!

How to Use Mold Flow Analysis

Flow analysis helps decide gate placement, locate knit lines, and find areas where gas can get trapped.

Glass Transition Temperature of Polymers

Glass transition temperature (Tg) affects moldability, strength, elasticity, transparency, and more.

Beginner’s Guide to Injection Molding

Learn what product designers must consider when designing a part for injection molding, including: warp, surface finish, stress, resin additives, and more.

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