What Is Stereolithography?
This industrial process offers the industries highest precision and speed with minimal need for support structures and post processing. SLA is an ideal process for printing prototypes, master patterns, tools, molds, dies, jigs, fixtures or any application where surface finish, accuracy and product aesthetics are critical.
Forge Labs uses 3D System's industrial SLA machines which offer the largest build envelopes commercially available, capable of producing parts up to 1500 mm (59 inches). Layers are cured by ultraviolet laser through a process called vat photopolymerization to solidify the pattern layer by layer.
59" x 30"
Max X/Y Build Volume
± 0.2
MM Part Tolerances
6
Materials
2-5 Day
Average Lead Time
Engineering Resins| Stereolithography
Strong
Transparent
Flexible
High Temp
Black
Accura Xtreme White 200
Exceptionally Strong & Durable
Accura Xtreme White (XTW) is an exceptionally tough, and highly accurate industrial grade resin for demanding applications. Accura XTW resin is highly versatile, making it ideal for a number of applications from concept models to functional assemblies that require high fatigue resistance such as snap fits & enclosures. The outstanding surface finish makes it also ideal for creating master patterns for both vacuum casting & molding.
|
Tensile Strength |
50 MPa |
|
Tensile Elongation |
20 % |
|
Flexural Strength |
79 MPa |
|
Impact Strength |
66 J/m |
|
Heat Deflection (@ 0.45 MPa) |
47 °C |
Accura Clearvue
General Purpose Transparent Parts
Accura ClearVue material is a ideal for models requiring high clarity. This transparent material that simulates the properties and appearance of Polycarbonate and ABS. This material is ideal for design validation, water flow testing, and packaging.
|
Tensile Strength |
53 MPa |
|
Tensile Elongation |
3-15 % |
|
Flexural Strength |
84 MPa |
|
Impact Strength |
67 J/m |
|
Heat Deflection (@ 0.45 MPa) |
51°C |
Accura 25
Polypropylene Like Material
Accura 25 simulates the both the material properties and aesthetics of molded Polypropylene. Accura 25 provides excellent surface finish, durability and elongation strength which allows 3D prints of highly accurate and attractive prototypes that test fit, form and function with outstanding accuracy and dimensional stability.
|
Tensile Strength |
58 MPa |
|
Tensile Elongation |
20 % |
|
Flexural Strength |
58 MPa |
|
Impact Strength |
22 J/m |
|
Heat Deflection |
63 °C |
Accura Bluestone
High Temperature Nano Composite
Accura Bluestone is a high temperature, ultra stiff nano composite ideal for the manufacturing of stable parts. With a post-cure heat deflection of 284°C @ 0.45 MPa, Accura Bluestone is one of the most thermally stable resins available.
|
Tensile Strength |
68 MPa |
|
Tensile Elongation |
2.4 % |
|
Flexural Strength |
154 MPa |
|
Impact Strength |
17 J/m |
|
Heat Deflection (Postcure) |
284°C @ 0.45 MPa |
Black Prototyping Resin
Rigid Black Resin
Forge Lab's prototyping resin simulates black ABS articles for functional prototyping and production parts in industrial grade resins. Offering both strength & rigidity for low demand applications where a smooth, black finsh is critical such as concept models and form and fit testing.
|
Tensile Strength |
45 MPa |
|
Tensile Elongation |
5 % |
|
Flexural Strength |
76 MPa |
|
Impact Strength |
47 J/m |
|
Heat Deflection (@ 0.45 MPa) |
54 °C |
Start a new SLA Quote
STEP | STP | SLDPRT | STL | DXF | IPT | 3MF | 3DXML | PRT | SAT files
Design Guidelines | Stereolithography
Stereolithography (SLA) is one of the oldest manufacturing process that uses a vat of resin, cured by a high powered UV laser to form a solid structure. The machine begins curing layers on the surface of the resin, curing each cross section by the set layer height of 50-100 um. After each layer, the parts drops down into the vat of liquid resin which acts as a support structure for the part. The process repeats itself with the top 50-100 um layers of resin being cured selectively by the laser.
This design guidelines covers specific design parameters, which will need to be followed to prevent build failures from occurring. We have set the minimum allowed tolerances specified by our engineers and the manufacturer to ensure your parts build successfully and on schedule.
Optimizing your designs for Stereolithography help keep manufacturing costs down. Price is primarily based upon the volume of resin consumed to manufacture your parts as well as the X, Y, & Z extents of your part which affect the run-time cost. Small, hollow parts are priced the most competitively in Stereolithography. It is important to keep your wall thickness and hollow out any dense sections of your part.
Stereolithography offers the largest build volume of any 3D Printing technology with a capacity of: 1500 x 750 x 550 mm (59 x 30 x 22 in.), and a standard layer thickness of 50-100 um depending on the size of your part.
Minimum Wall Thickness
0.8 mm
Engraved Details
Thickness & depth of at least 0.2 mm
Embossed Details
Thickness & depth of at least 0.3 mm
Clearance
0.2 mm
Minimum Hole Size
0.5 mm or 1.5 mm for internal channels
Layer Height
50 μm- 100 μm
Maximum Build Size
1500 x 750 x 550 mm (59 x 30 x 22 in.)
Tolerances
±0.2%, with a lower limit of ±0.2 mm.
Surface Finish
Parts have a uniform ultra-smooth surface finish
Stereolithography | Applications
Ultra High Resolution
Ultra smooth surface finish with no visible layers, and fine detail resolution down to 50 microns
High Accuracy
Easily produce end-use parts with a uniform finish and excellent aesthetics in a variety of colors.
Fast Turnaround
The large build capacity can easily accommodate large quantities for rapid turnaround in as little as 1- 3 business days.
Large Build Volume
The largest HD Printing technology capable of high resolution prints up to 59 x 29.5 x 21.6 inches in a single build tray.
Learn How Major Industries Are Using Forge Labs
Aerospace
Automotive
Healthcare
Practical FX
Consumer Products
Case Studies | Stereolithography
How to paint & finish SLA 3D printed parts and give them a final product aesthetic.
How Forge Labs helped redesign & prototype and the new iconic Tim Horton's lid.
