SLA (Benchtop)

Step 1

Printing

The process begins by a filling the material reservoir with the required photopolymer resin. The build platform is lowered until submerged to a depth one layer height within the resin. A UV laser scans the surface of the build platform, curing the resin in the pattern of a cross-sectional slice of the 3D geometry. After each layer is cured, the build platform moves up by the height of one layer and a new layer of resin is cured below the previous one. Once complete, the build platform rises out of the resin vat and allows the part to drain of any resin.

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 SLA 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.