A

SEMINAR REPORT
ON

“STEREOLITHOGRAPHY”

In the Partial Fulfillment of Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical,

Shivaji University, Kolhapur

Submitted By
Mr. SHAILENDRA RAMCHANDRA GAWAND

Under the Guidance of

Prof.V.M. JAMADAR

Dr. Ashok Gujar Technical Institute’s,

Dr. Daulatrao Aher College of Engineering, Karad
Department of Mechanical Engineering
2021-2022
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that, Mr. Shailendra Ramchandra Gawand, has satisfactorily

completed the Seminar entitled, “STREOLITHOGRAPHY”. This work is being
submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of degree of Bachelor of Technology in
Mechanical of the Shivaji University, Kolhapur, for the academic year 2021-22, under
my guidance.

Dr.V.M.Jamadar Prof. S.J.Mulani

Guide Head of Department
 Abstract

1. Introduction

2. What is Stereolithography

3. How it Works

4. Material Used

5. Benefits

6. Applications

7. File Types

8. Comparison

9. Conclusion
 Introduction

3D Printing technology, also known as Additive Manufacturing (AM), refers to processes used to
generate a 3D object in which layers of material are successively formed under a computer- controlled
program to create a physical object. The 3D file source is usually sliced into several layers, each layer
generating a set of computer-controlled instructions. Both 3D printing and additive manufacturing
reflect that the technologies share the theme of sequential-layer material addition or joining
throughout a 3D work. 3D printing technologies can be split up into 2 groups: direct and indirect 3D
printing. The main difference lies in the fact that the design is directly made from 3D printing (direct)
or 3D printing was used in the process of creating your model (indirect). The objects manufactured
through 3D printing processes can be of almost any shape or geometry. They are typically produced
using digital model data from a 3D model or another electronic data source such as a
StereoLithography (STL) file, one of the most common file types that 3D printers can read.

Additive manufacturing invention can be traced back to the 1980’s by Japanese, French and American
researchers. The very first patent of 3D printing was coined in 1984 by Chuck Hull of 3D Systems
Corporation. Hull defined the 3D printing process as a system for generating three- dimensional
objects by creating a cross-sectional pattern of the object to be formed. His invention consists of a
stereolithography fabrication system, in which layers are added by curing photopolymers with
ultraviolet light lasers. Stereolithography is still one very popular 3D printing manufacturing
technique, also known as SLA.

The technology used by most 3D printers in the 2010’s, especially by hobbyist and consumer-
oriented products, is Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), also known as material extrusion or the
proprietary Stratasys denomination’s Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM was patented in
1989 by S. Scott Crump just before he launched the Stratasys company with his wife, Lisa Crump.

Metal 3D printing only became available in the 1990’s with the invention of laser melting and
sintering techniques. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) are
often grouped under the umbrella term Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).
 What is Stereolithography

Stereolithography belongs to a family of additive manufacturing technologies known as vat

photopolymerization, commonly known as resin 3D printing. Stereolothography is rapid
manufacturing and rapid prototyping technology for producing parts with high accuracy and
goof surface finish.

In This process a 3D dimensional object is produced from a 3D cad File based on the principle
of curing (hardening) a liquid Photopolymer into a specific shape. These machines are all built
around the same principle, using a light source a laser or projector to cure liquid resin into
hardened plastic. The main physical differentiation lies in the arrangement of the core
components, such as the light source, the build platform, and the resin tank.SLA 3D printers
use light-reactive thermoset materials called “resin.” When SLA resins are exposed to certain
wavelengths of light, short molecular chains join together, polymerizing monomers and
oligomers into solidified rigid or flexible geometries.

Material manufacturers have created innovative SLA resin formulations with a wide range of
optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and
industrial thermoplastics.

SLA parts have the highest resolution and accuracy, the sharpest details, and the smoothest
surface finishes of all 3D printing technologies, but the main benefit of the stereolithography
lies in its versatility.
 How It Works
Every standard SLA 3D printer is generally composed of four primary sections:

● A tank filled with the liquid photopolymer: The liquid resin is usually a clear and
liquid plastic.
● A perforated platform immersed in a tank: The platform is lowered into the tank and
can move up and down according to the printing process.
● A high-powered, ultraviolet laser
● A computer interface, which manages both the platform and the laser movements

As is the case for many additive manufacturing processes, the first step consists of designing a 3D
model through CAD software. The resulting CAD files are digitalized representations of the
desired object.
 At this point, it’s worth mentioning that most desktop SLA printers work upside-
down. That is, the laser is pointed up to the build platform, which starts low and is
The pre-printer step is to feed an STL file into a 3D slicer software, such as
Cura. Such platforms are responsible for generating G-code, the native language
of 3D printers.

Software
As is the case for many additive manufacturing processes, the first step consists of designing a 3D

model through CAD

 At this point, it’s worth mentioning that most desktop SLA printers work upside-
down. That is, the laser is pointed up to the build platform, which starts low and is
The pre-printer step is to feed an STL file into a 3D slicer software, such as Cura. Such
platforms are responsible for generating G-code, the native language of 3D printers.

Working of SLA
When the process starts, the laser “draws” the first layer of the print into the photosensitive resin.
Wherever the laser hits, the liquid solidifies. The laser is directed to the appropriate coordinates by
a computer-controlled mirroincrementally raised.

After the first layer, the platform is raised according to the layer thickness (typically
about 0.1 mm) and the additional resin is allowed to flow below the already-printed
portion. The laser then solidifies the next cross-section, and the process is repeated until
the whole part is complete. The resin that is not touched by the laser remains in the vat
and can be reused.
At this point, it’s worth mentioning that most desktop SLA printers work upside-
down. That is, the laser is pointed up to the build platform, which starts low and is

Post processing

After finishing the material polymerization, the platform rises out of the tank and the
excess resin is drained. At the end of the process, the model is removed from the
platform, washed of excess resin, and then placed in a UV oven for final curing.
Post-print curing enables objects to reach the highest possible strength and become
more stable.
 Advantages

 Relatively fast production

 Good for complex models
 Scalability is simple
 No Human factor
 No Wasted Materials
 Biomedical Molding Application
 Wide Range of Finishing Options and Material Selection
 High-quality models at relatively high speed
 Accurate Prototypes

Disadvantages

 Fragility: stereolithography uses equivalent materials

which are resins. The parts thus obtained are more fragile
than the final parts. If the quality of the finish allows
functional prototypes to be obtained, stereolithography does
not, however, allow parts that can be used for mechanical
testing to be obtained.

 Expensive machines: if we had predicted the boom in 3D

printing in the past few years, experts have neglected the cost
of the machines and the difficulty of their operation. Thus, it
is more difficult for companies to create their own prototypes
in stereolithography, so they often prefer to rely on
specialized companies.

 Unit production: due to the time required to produce a part,

the use of stereolithography is limited to three copies, so it
does not make sense for mass production.
Design
● Visualizing objects
● Proof of concept
● Marketing and presentation model

Engineering. analysis and planning

 Form and fit-model
 Flow analysis
 Analysis of stress distribution
 Mock-up
 Pre-series parts
 Diagnostic and surgical operation planning
 Design and fabrication of custom prosthesis and implant

Manufacturing and tooling

 Plastic mold parts
⮚ Vacuum casting
⮚ Metal spraying
 Casting
⮚ Sand casting
⮚ Investment casting
⮚ Die casting
 EDM electrodes
 Master model

Conclusion
● Stereo lithography is fast and effective

● Stereo lithography can be applied to almost every industry,

including oil refining. Petrochemical. Power, marine and

municipal.

● Stereo lithography saves time, money, allow speed

delivery, improve design