Stereolitográfia

Stereolitográfia, often abbreviated as SLA, is an additive manufacturing process used to create three-dimensional objects from a digital file. It is one of the earliest forms of 3D printing and falls under the category of vat polymerization.

In SLA, a photopolymer resin is used as the building material. The process begins with a vat of liquid photopolymer. A build platform is submerged in this resin. A light source, typically a UV laser or a projector, selectively cures or hardens the resin layer by layer according to the cross-section of the 3D model. The laser or projector traces the shape of each layer onto the surface of the resin, causing it to solidify. Once a layer is complete, the build platform moves slightly, either up or down depending on the specific SLA machine configuration, allowing a new layer of liquid resin to flow onto the solidified layer. This process is repeated until the entire object is built.

After printing, the object is typically removed from the build platform and undergoes a post-curing process, often involving exposure to UV light, to further strengthen the material. Excess uncured resin is washed away. SLA is known for its ability to produce highly detailed and smooth-surfaced parts, making it suitable for applications requiring precision and intricate designs, such as prototypes, dental models, and intricate artwork. The materials used in SLA can vary, offering different properties like flexibility, toughness, and transparency.