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What is Stereolithography? Stay up to date on the coronavirus

By Elizabeth Palermo July 16, 2013

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Stereolithography (SL) is one of several methods used to create 3D-printed

objects. It's the process by which a uniquely designed 3D printing machine,
called a stereolithograph apparatus (SLA) converts liquid plastic into solid No spam, we promise. You can unsubscribe at any time and
objects.  we'll never share your details without your permission.

The process was patented as a means of rapid prototyping in 1986 by Charles

Hull, co-founder of 3D Systems, Inc., a leader in the 3D printing industry.
MOST READ MOST SHARED
How it works: From CAD to STL

There are many di erent ways to 3D print an object. But nearly all of them utilize
computer aided design (CAD) les.

CAD les are digitalized representations of an object. They're used by engineers

and manufacturers to turn ideas into computerized models that can be digitally 1 The coronavirus did not
escape from a lab. Here's how
tested, improved and most recently, 3D printed.
we know.
In 3D printing — or additive manufacturing — CAD les must be translated into a
"language," or le type, that 3D printing machines can understand. Standard 2 How does the COVID-19
pandemic compare to the last
Tessellation Language (STL) is one such le type and is the language most
pandemic?
commonly used for stereolithography, as well as other additive manufacturing
processes.

Since additive manufacturing works by adding one layer of material on top of

3 20 of the worst epidemics and
pandemics in history
another, CAD models must be broken up into layers before being printed in
three dimensions.
4 Bronx Zoo tiger infected with
COVID-19
STL les "cut up" CAD models, giving the 3D printing machine the information it
needs to print each layer of an object.

How it works: SLA

5 Here’s how long the
coronavirus will last on
surfaces, and how to disinfect
Unlike the desktop printer you use to print documents, SLA machines don't those surfaces.
extrude ink or some other liquid onto a surface. Instead an SLA machine starts
with an excess of liquid plastic, some of which is cured, or hardened, to form a
solid object. 

SLAs have four main parts: a tank that can be lled with liquid plastic
(photopolymer), a perforated platform that is lowered into the tank, an
ultraviolet (UV) laser and a computer controlling the platform and the laser. 

In the initial step of the SLA process, a thin layer of photopolymer (usually
between 0.05-0.15 mm) is exposed above the perforated platform. The UV laser
hits the perforated platform, "painting" the pattern of the object being printed. 

The UV-curable liquid hardens instantly when the UV laser touches it, forming
the rst layer of the 3D-printed object.

Once the initial layer of the object has hardened, the platform is lowered,
exposing a new surface layer of liquid polymer. The laser again traces a cross
section of the object being printed, which instantly bonds to the hardened
section beneath it.

This process is repeated again and again until the entire object has been formed
and is fully submerged in the tank. 

The platform is then raised to expose a three-dimensional object. After it is

rinsed with a liquid solvent to free it of excess resin, the object is baked in an
ultraviolet oven to further cure the plastic. 

Objects made using stereolithography generally have smooth surfaces, but the
quality of an object depends on the quality of the SLA machine used to print it. 

The amount of time it takes to create an object with stereolithography also

depends on the size of the machine used to print it. Small objects are usually
produced with smaller machines and typically take between six to twelve hours
to print. Larger objects, which can be several meters in three dimensions, take
days.

What gets made

Stereolithography is an ideal solution for creating prototypes because it creates

highly accurate, durable objects fairly quickly and relatively inexpensively. SLA
machines can even create oddly shaped objects, which can be di cult to
produce using traditional prototyping methods.

Many industries — from medical to manufacturing — use stereolithography to

build prototypes and, on occasion, nal products.

A car manufacturer, for example, might use stereolithography to create a

prototype casting of a car door handle. Such a prototype can be tested for t
and form and, once perfected, can serve as the master pattern for a machined
auto part. 

Companies using SLA

Stereolithography was the rst process developed for rapid prototyping, and
though it is among the oldest 3D printing methods, it is still very popular today. 

3D Systems Inc., the company that pioneered stereolithography still uses this
process to build prototypes for clients. The company also sells SLA machines for
use by businesses and manufacturers. 

Other leading 3D printing companies have their own preferred methods for 3D
printing prototypes and nished parts. For example, Stratasys, another leading
3D manufacturer, patented the Fused Deposition Modeling process for 3D
printing in 1992. 

But there are many companies around the United States that use SLA machines
to provide their clients with rapidly produced and relatively cheap prototypes.

SLA at home

Most personal 3D printers on the market today use additive manufacturing

processes other than stereolithography to create 3D-printed objects.

However, there are options for those that want to create their own SLA-printed
objects at home. Formlabs, a startup based in Cambridge, Mass., recently
developed a desktop machine that prints objects using stereolithography. 

And if you're more of a do-it-yourselfer, there are others out there trying to
master the art of this high-tech process all on their own, as well. 

Follow Elizabeth Palermo on Twitter @techEpalermo or BusinessNewsDaily

@BNDarticles. We're also on Facebook & Google+.

For the latest news and features about 3D Printing, visit:

LiveScience Topic: 3D Printing

Further reading:

3D Printer.net
Photopolymer.com
Quickparts.com

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