Rapid Prototyping

Stereolithography is an additive manufacturing process which utilizes a vat of liquid resin and a laser to build parts a layer at a time to create a 3D part. The laser traces each part on the surface of the resin to solidify it. That piece then drops down into the resin to create another layer (.002" to .006"). A blade then sweeps across the part to insure even distribution of the resin. Again the laser traces the part to solidify the resin and adhere it to the previous layer. The process is repeated until the build is complete; the parts are then cleaned and cured in a uv-oven (PCA). SLA parts are very accurate and have the best surface finish of the common prototyping technologies.