3D Printing Services

Stereolithography

At a glance

Lifecycle

Short production runs, Prototyping

Lead Time

As fast as 3 days

Resolution

0.1 mm

Materials

Accura 25, Accura ClearVue

Machines

Our global manufacturing ecosystem includes manufacturing partners with 3D Systems professional grade ProJet printers that are capable of very precise and highly detailed printing. The main sections of the machine include the build chamber and the material chamber below. The build bed can be removed to carefully detach the printed part and clean it of any remaining support material.

ProJet 6000 HD ProJet 7000
Build Bed Size [x, y, z] 254 x 254 x 254 mm 381 x 381 x 254 mm
Materials Accura 25, Accura ClearVue Accura 25, Accura ClearVue
Value $185,000 $250,000

3D Printing Materials

Accura 25

Accura ClearVue

Accura 25

Accura 25 is a durable and flexible SLA 3D printing material. It’s ideal for snap-fit part designs, as a master pattern for urethane casting, and conceptual modeling. Accura 25 can be used for functional prototyping or end-use parts and has excellent resolution, dimensional accuracy, and can be primed and painted after printing.
Process:
SLA 3D printing
Colors:
White
Resolution:
0.1 mm
Price:
$$$

Design Recommendations

Max Part Size [x, y, z]

10 x 10 x 10 inches (254 x 254 x 254 mm)

Gaps for Mating Parts

0.5 mm between parts that need to be assembled

Tolerance

± 0.1mm

Min Wall Thickness

1.0 mm for production, 1.5 mm for consistent measurement or mechanical properties

Min Hole Diameter

0.5mm

Note that any surface in contact with support will have small nubs in the final product as a result of support removal. To optimize the overall surface smoothness of the part, avoid extra overhangs, steep slopes, or large flat planes that may add more structural support.

Cost Saving Tip

Parts can be designed hollow to reduce material usage. Make sure to design a drainage hole that’s at least 4mm in diameter to allow removal of trapped resin. Surrounding walls should be at least 2mm thick to ensure a successful print.

About the Process

Stereolithography, or SLA, is a 3D printing technology known for achieving highly detailed and functionally accurate parts. The technology utilizes a mirror that is programmed to direct an ultraviolet laser to draw and cure a part’s cross-section onto a vat of photopolymer resin. After each layer, the build platform lowers and a recouter blade wipes over a new layer of material on the top of the tank.

Once the part is complete, it is removed from the build chamber, cleaned of support and excess resin (typically using isopropyl alcohol), and then placed in a UV oven for further curing. This ensures the part reaches its optimal physical properties.

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