DLP

Step 1

Printing

The build plate of the DLP printer sits above a reservoir of photopolymer material. At the start of the process, printer’s build platform is lowered and submerged in the reservoir of photopolymer where the digital light source exposes a raft layer off from which the part will be suspended by its network of supports. At the completion of the first layer the build platform lifts up above the surface of the photopolymer when a levelling arm spreads and agitates the material. For all remaining layers, the previously hardened part layer returns to the photopolymer and a digital light source projects each layer onto it until the part build is complete.

Step 2

Support Removal

Manual Removal Supports are clipped or peeled away, often before full curing to reduce surface marks. Soluble Support Removal Non-applicable. Manual Removal Note: Use flush cutters, tweezers, or scraping tools; take care with delicate features.

Step 3

Surface Finishing

Sanding / Polishing Common for removing support marks and smoothing surfaces; wet sanding preferred. Chemical Smoothing / Coating Non-applicable for most resins; some clear resins benefit from polishing compounds or spray lacquer. Painting / Priming Very effective; primer helps paint adhere to cured resin. Gloss / Matte Control Achieved post-print with coatings or through print settings (clear coat for gloss, matte varnish for flat finishes.)

Step 4

Curing / Heat Treatment

UV / Thermal Curing Essential. Prints must be UV-cured after cleaning to reach full mechanical strength. Annealing / Stress Relief Non-applicable

Step 5

Assembly and Functional Finishing

Gluing or Bonding Superglue, UV resin, or epoxy works well; parts can also be “welded” with uncured resin and cured together. Drilling / Tapping / CNC Feasible with caution; resin can be brittle, so low-speed tools and support are recommended. Inserts / Fasteners Threaded inserts are possible but not ideal due to resin brittleness; design-in fastening is preferred.

Step 6

Special Treatments

Infiltration / Sealing Non-applicable; most DLP parts are fully solid. Functional Coatings UV-blocking, clear gloss, rubber coatings, or primer / paint depending on use. Post-print Functionalisation Transparency enhancements (e.g., for lenses) using polishing and clear coat; dental / medical parts may be sterilised.