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Stereolithography. Richard Morton. How it works. On each layer, the laser beam traces a part cross-section pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. . Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process utilizing a vat of liquid UV- Curable Photopolymer “resin“
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Stereolithography Richard Morton
How it works On each layer, the laser beam traces a part cross-section pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process utilizing a vat of liquid UV- Curable Photopolymer “resin“ and a UV laser to build parts a layer at a time. After a pattern has been traced, the SLA's elevator platform descends by a single layer thickness. Then, a resin-filled blade sweeps across the part cross section, re-coating it with fresh material. A complete 3-D part is formed by this process.
How it works • Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process • utilizing a vat of liquid UV- Curable Photopolymer “resin“ and a UV laser to build parts a layer at a time. • On each layer, the laser beam traces a part cross-section pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. • After a pattern has been traced, the SLA's elevator platform descends by a single layer thickness. • Then, a resin-filled blade sweeps across the part cross section, re-coating it with fresh material. • A complete 3-D part is formed by this process.
Materials SLA machines are able to use photopolymers, which are plastics that react to lasers. Costs The photo-curable resin can cost any where from $300 to $800 per gallon. An SLA machine can cost from $100,000 to $400,000.
Pros/Cons • There is no limitations to the shapes of the parts. • A functional part might take 6 to 12 hours. Most SLA machines can produce parts with a maximum size of 20” x 20” x 24”.
File Types Most machines accept either .stl or .iges files.
Origination The term “stereolithography” was coined in 1986 by Charles Hull.
Works Cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereolithography http://computer.howstuffworks.com/stereolith5.htm http://www.rapidsolutions.com/stereolithography.htm