Stereolithography (SLA)

Stereolithography (SLA) is a polymer 3D printing process used to create concept models, cosmetic prototypes, and complex parts with intricate geometries in as fast as 1 day. A wide selection of materials, extremely high feature resolutions, and quality surface finishes are possible with SLA.

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Stereolithography (SLA) is an industrial 3D printing process used to create concept models, cosmetic prototypes, and complex parts with intricate geometries in as fast as 1 day. A wide selection of materials, extremely high feature resolutions, and quality surface finishes are possible with SLA.

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How Does Stereolithography 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.

1 to 50+ parts
Shipped in 1 to 7 days
Parts starting at $95

Common Applications

cosmetic prototypes
form and fit testing
high accuracy and surface quality

Watch: Why Use SLA?

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

Material Options with SLA

Our thermoplastic-like SLA materials include grades of ABS, polycarbonateandpolypropylene, along with a durable nickel-coating option.

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3D Printing Surface Finish Guide

Get this quick reference guide to explore your surface finish options across our six 3D printing technologies.

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SLA Material Options

Below are your SLA material options at Protolabs. We offer a wide range of thermoplastic-like materials as well as post-processing options to enhance cosmetics and material attribute. Note that each property listed is measured along the X-Y plane.

US
Metric

Material	Color	Tensile Strength	Elastic Modulus	Elongation	Primary Benefits
PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120)	Translucent/White	5,000 psi	232 ksi	25%	Most flexible of SLA materials High impact resistance
ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray)	Gray	5,800 psi	290 ksi	9%	General purpose material Most flexible ABS-like material
MicroFine™ (Gray and Green)	Gray or Green	8,700 psi	377 ksi	8%	ABS-like Tightest resolution and smallest feature detail
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122)	Translucent/Clear	7.900 psi	421 ksi	6%	Lowest moisture absorption Functional clarity with custom finishing
ABS-Like Black (RenShape SL7820)	Black	7,000 psi	435 ksi	5%	General purpose material Upfacing glossy surfaces
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200)	White	7,900 psi	479 ksi	9%	General purpose material
PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60)	Translucent/Clear	10,800 psi	508 ksi	7%	Functional clarity with custom finishing
*PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530)	Translucent/Amber	6,500psi	566 ksi	1.5%	Thermal cure option for advanced properties Resistant to automotive fluids
*Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp (PerFORM)	White	10,900 psi	1523 ksi	1%	Stiffest of all SLA materials Thermal cure option for high temperature applications

*Properties listed are based on thermal cure

Material	Color	Tensile Strength	Elastic Modulus	Elongation	Primary Benefits
PP-Like Translucent White (Somos 9120)	Translucent/White	5,000 psi	232 ksi	25%	Most flexible of SLA materials High impact resistance
ABS-Like Gray (Accura Xtreme Gray)	Gray	5,800 psi	290 ksi	9%	General purpose material Most flexible ABS-like material
MicroFine™ (Gray and Green)	Gray or Green	8,700 psi	377 ksi	8%	ABS-like Tightest resolution and smallest feature detail
ABS-Like Translucent/Clear (WaterShed XC 11122)	Translucent/Clear	7.900 psi	421 ksi	6%	Lowest moisture absorption Functional clarity with custom finishing
ABS-Like Black (RenShape SL7820)	Black	7,000 psi	435 ksi	5%	General purpose material Upfacing glossy surfaces
ABS-Like White (Accura Xtreme White 200)	White	7,900 psi	479 ksi	9%	General purpose material
PC-Like Translucent/Clear (Accura 60)	Translucent/Clear	10,800 psi	508 ksi	7%	Functional clarity with custom finishing
PC-Like Advanced High Temp (Accura 5530)	Translucent/Amber	6,500psi	566 ksi	1.5%	Thermal cure option for advanced properties Resistant to automotive fluids
Ceramic-Like Advanced HighTemp (PerFORM)	White	10,900 psi	1523 ksi	1%	Stiffest of all SLA materials Thermal cure option for high temperature applications

*Properties listed are based on thermal cure

Stereolithography (SLA) Design Guidelines

Our basic guidelines for stereolithography (SLA) include important design considerations to help improve part manufacturability, enhance cosmetic appearance, and reduce overall production time.

马克斯部分尺寸

NORMAL RESOLUTION	29 in. x 25 in. x 21 in.
HIGH RESOLUTION	10 in. x 10 in. x 10 in.
MICRO RESOLUTION	>5 in. x 5 in. x 2.5 in.

NORMAL RESOLUTION	736mm x 635mm x 533mm
HIGH RESOLUTION	254mm x 254mm x 254mm
MICRO RESOLUTION	127mm x 127mm x 63.5mm

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NORMAL RESOLUTION	736mm x 635mm x 533mm
HIGH RESOLUTION	254mm x 254mm x 254mm
MICRO RESOLUTION	127mm x 127mm x 63.5mm

Tolerances and Accuracy on SLA Parts

For well-designed parts, tolerances in the X/Y dimension of ±0.002 in. (0.05mm) for first inch plus ±0.001 in./in. (0.001mm/mm), and Z dimension tolerances of ±0.005 in. for first inch plus ±0.001 in./in. (0.001mm/mm), can typically be achieved. Note that tolerances may change depending on part geometry.

Layer Thickness

NORMAL RESOLUTION	0.004 in.
HIGH RESOLUTION	0.002 in.
MICRO RESOLUTION	0.001 in.

NORMAL RESOLUTION	0.1016mm
HIGH RESOLUTION	0.0508mm
MICRO RESOLUTION	0.0254mm

Minimum Feature Size

NORMAL RESOLUTION	0.010 in. for the XY draw plane (0.016 in. for the Z build direction)
HIGH RESOLUTION	0.005 in. for the XY draw plane (0.016 in. for the Z build direction)
MICRO RESOLUTION	0.0025 in. for the XY draw plane (0.008 in. for the Z build direction)

NORMAL RESOLUTION	0.254mm for the XY draw plane (0.406mm for the Z build direction)
HIGH RESOLUTION	0.1016mm for the XY draw plane (0.406mm for the Z build direction)
MICRO RESOLUTION	0.0508mm for the XY draw plane (0.203mm for the Z build direction)

Surface Finishes for SLA Parts

UNFINISHED	Dots, or standing"nibs," remain evident on the bottom of the part from the support structure remnants.
NATURAL	Supported surfaces are sanded down to eliminate the support nibs.
STANDARD	支持表面用砂纸磨,整个部分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.

Common SLA Questions

How SLA 3D Printing Work?

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.

How does SLA compare to FDM?

What are the Advantages of SLA?

Common Applications for SLA Parts

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Unfinished

Material	ABS-Like Translucent/Clear
Finish Type	Unfinished
Price	$