why does lcd module need sla brands

3D-printing was discovered more than 30 years ago by the original founder of 3D-systems[1]. This first 3D-printer was named stereolithography apparatus and used a laser to cure a light reactive resin. During the years after the discovery, other companies like EnvisionTEC[2] came up with new methods of curing the light reactive resin, by projector, instead of a laser. The last years, companies like Wanhao[3] and Anycubic[4] made resin based 3D-printing accessible for everyone by the introduction of cheaper LCD based 3D-printers.

Laser SLA is based on the original invention, used by companies as 3D-systems, Formlabs, UnionTech[6] and Peopoly Moai[7]. The laser is used to selectively cure the resin, by scanning the surface. The resin cures and becomes a hard plastic at the spots where the laser ‘hits’ the resin.

DLP-SLA is a technique which uses a projector to selectively cure the resin. It is generally a faster printing technique compared to Laser SLA, due to the fact that the projector can expose the whole layer at once, where a laser has to scan to cure the resin. A few single LED’s are in the center of the DLP projector. The light from these LED’s is guided to a DMD chip, which creates the actual curing pattern. This 3D-printing technique is used by companies like EnvitionTEC, Sprintray[8], Atum3D[9], Rapidshape[10], Miicraft[11] and Kudo3D[12]

One of the latest developments in resin 3D-printing is MSLA, also called LCD based 3D-printing. This technique uses an affordable LCD screen to create the mask, eliminating expensive DMD chips that are used in DLP techniques. This technique works by an array of LED’s illuminating on the LCD. The LCD is used as a mask, which creates the curing pattern. The liquid resin turns into a rigid plastic on the spots where the light ‘hits’ the resin. Companies like Wanhao, Anycubic, Sparkmaker[13], Kudo3D, Creality[14], XYZprinting[15], Phrozen[16], and many more.

One of the main drawbacks of Laser SLA techniques is its price for the machines and consumables. This also applies to DLP 3D-printers. DLP printers have another technical disadvantage to keep in mind, the (affordable) DMD chips are usually 1920*1080 pixels, which limits the quality of printing when upscaling the build area. LCD based printing is a lot cheaper compared to the other techniques. These machines are more affordable and also consumables like FEP foil for your resin tray is cheaper.

What most users don’t realize is that the LCD display is also count as a consumable, which should be replaced from time to time. The build area is dependant on each machine and technically it is easier to create a bigger build area, by placing a bigger LCD in the machine.

Not all resins are compatible with the different printing techniques. It is important to read the resin manufacturers datasheets to understand if it is compatible with your 3D-printer. Laser based 3D-printers have a very powerful laser, which would need a slower curing resin to get a stable printing process. While LCD based 3D-printers have a low power LED light source, which works very well with fast curing resins. DLP 3D-printers can be configured in many different ways, making it impossible to predict curing behaviour of the resin without testing.

The Liqcreate resins are developed to work with most techniques. Liqcreate Strong-X, Clear Impact, Deep Blue, Stone Coal Black and Hazard Glow are developed to print on Laser- and DLP based machines, while still working on LCD 3D-printers when exposure times are increased. While the Liqcreate Premium line is developed to print fast on low-power DLP and LCD printers. Read more about the resins here:

There are a wide variety of 3D printers on the market right now. LCD, DLP, and SLA 3D printers all use resin as a way to create prints. But which one is best suited for your needs?

LCD 3D Printers use an LCD display module to project a certain light pattern which is then used to cure resin in the resin vat. LED light is used as the light source while the LCD screen controls the light pattern. Light is emitted from the LED lamp. It then passes through an LCD screen and is absorbed by the resin. An image of each layer is generated on the LCD screen while an entire layer is hardened at once.

SLA 3D printing, or stereolithography, uses lasers as a light source to print out 3D prints. As the laser traces each point in a single layer, the liquid resin hardens in the process.

In each LCD screen, you can calculate the pixel size by dividing the length of the LCD by the number of pixels on the length of the LCD screen. Let’s take Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K as an example, its X resolution (pixel size) is 134.4 mm / 3840 pixels = 0.035 mm.

DLP 3D printers use the same concept as LCD 3D printers; you can calculate the pixel size by dividing the length of the tiny mirrors by the number of pixels present on the DMD.

SLA 3D Printers:For SLA 3D printers, the XY resolution will depend on the average spot size of the laser beam and the increments at which the laser beam is controlled.

LCD 3D Printers:As there are a wide variety of LCD 3D printers on the market, companies are now rushing to create LCD 3D printers that are much more precise and accurate than previously possible. This means that LCD 3D printers are getting close to the accuracy and precision provided by traditional SLA 3D printers with proper calibration components.

SLA 3D Printers:As lasers are used in SLA printing, 3D models printed using this technique tend to be accurate and precise. SLA 3D printers print out models with an even and smooth surface as the laser moves through a continuous path while slowly drawing out each layer.

Though SLA 3D printers can print out smooth models, the price of purchasing such a device could be 3-5 times higher than LCD 3D printers. It also takes much longer to print with an SLA 3D printer as we will explain next. For those looking to print resin miniatures and other similar models at home, it would be more worthwhile to purchase an LCD 3D printer for speed and cost purposes.

LCD 3D Printers:LCD 3D printers are similar to DLP 3D printers in that an entire layer of resin can be cured at once, meaning that it also can print much faster than SLA 3D printers and print out a collection of 3D models in one go.

This is because monochrome LCD screens are designed for the purpose of allowing higher light transmission and higher thermal resistance. This way, 3D printers that use Mono-LCD screens can cure resin at a shorter layer exposure time and have a longer lifetime than Color LCD screens.

DLP 3D Printers:As an entire layer of resin is cured with UV light at once, this means that you can print a large number of tiny models at once while using a DLP printer. The process will be much faster than an SLA 3D printer and even some LCD 3D printers.

SLA 3D Printers:As SLA 3D printers use lasers to trace out the pattern of a single layer before moving onto the next layer, it takes a much longer time to print out each individual model using this type of printing technique.

As SLA 3D printers use a different technique while printing it cannot entirely be compared to the printing techniques of DLP or LCD 3D printers. If you"re looking to print models with speed, it would be better to purchase LCD 3D printers for speed and accuracy purposes as SLA 3D printers print extremely slowly.

LCD 3D Printers: In comparison to other 3D printing techniques, LCD 3D printers are created as an affordable alternative to their 3D printing counterparts. These 3D printers use an LCD panel for printing purposes which can easily be replaced. Moreover, LCD printers can be made to be small, so most LCD 3D printers are desktop-sized which makes them easy to store.

DLP 3D Printers:DLP 3D printers are also more expensive than LCD 3D printers as it requires the use of Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which tends to be costly as well.

SLA 3D Printers:In terms of cost, SLA 3D printers tend to be more costly than their counterparts: DLP and LCD 3D printers. This is because SLA 3D printers include machines and lasers which tend to be more expensive.

Depending on the brand and type of SLA 3D printer you choose to purchase, the price could range from $3,500 for a basic SLA 3D printer to several hundred thousand dollars for an industrial SLA 3D printer.

While DLP 3D printers print the fastest, these produce models with low resolution and are also more costly than LCD 3D printers. 3D prints can also be easily distorted due to the use of a projector lens.

Though SLA 3D printers prints out resin 3D prints with accuracy and precision through the use of a laser, it prints very slowly, as it can only print one 3D model at a time. In comparison, both DLP and LCD 3D printers are capable of printing out an entire plate of 3D models in one go.SLA 3D printers also tend to be

Even though LCD 3D printers don’t print as fast as DLP 3D printers, it prints with accuracy and precision through the use of an LCD screen and UV lights, producing 3D models with extremely high resolution. LCD 3D printers, especially

I"m surprised your research hasn"t answered your question, as the concept is relatively simple. You have most of the answer in the question. The missing item is a light source. Usually the source is an array of ultraviolet LED modules. There are resin printers that would not be called LCD printers, as they use computer display projectors to generate both the image and the UV to cure the resin.

The light source that answers your question is visible in the third picture. As noted, the LCD panel blocks the light based on the image to be cured. I think the "uses its own light" is somewhat misleading, unless the builder has found a high-UV output LED LCD panel or is using daylight resins and has configured for long burn-in times.

Different businesses in varied industries are embracing the use of 3d printers to replicate a lot of their manufactured products using different materials. This has made the need for quality 3d printers soar and the market is booming. Different 3d printer brands have upgraded their systems and products to offer faster and more efficient options. With such 3d printers, work gets done faster without compromising on quality. There are different3d printer brandsout there with various features designed to help improve the user’s experience. Additionally, these3d printersalso come in different types with varied applications. Knowing more about them will help you determine which 3d printers work best for your specific needs. Some of the most common types of 3d printers include:

Low-cost LCD 3D printers have recently gained popularity, as they provide higher output for the same price as FDM 3D printers. These resin 3D printers use LCD panels with LED lights to cure the resin. LCD 3D printing works by flashing whole layers at once to cure the resin in the resin tank, but LCD printers don"t use mirrors. Instead, powerful LCD panels shine light at the model through LEDs, which the LCD panel blocks off in the areas not to be solidified.

The LCD screen only allows light to pass through areas that will be cured into the finished component, reducing the need for mirrors and galvanometers and simplifying the operation. An array of UV LCDs is used as a light source in LCD 3D printers. The light from the flat LCD panels shines directly on the build area in a parallel pattern. Pixel distortion is less of a problem with LCD printing since the light isn"t extended. This means that the LCD printer"s print quality is determined by the LCD density. The higher the number of pixels, the better the print quality.

Lcd 3d printers exhibit a faster printing process that allows users to have their end products with a better turnaround time. This makes these printers a great option to consider when looking forfast 3d printers.

Getting an LCD 3d printer can prove to be more expensive compared to investing in other printer options. This makes it a major drawback especially for those not working with a huge budget at their disposal.

This simply means that large models are more likely to have pixels at their edges. Regardless of the size of the print, the number of pixels on a DLP projector is the same. As a result, smaller and narrower prints on the same DLP printer may have higher precision than wider prints. It"s important to note that on more professional devices with higher-quality components, distortion is corrected. Furthermore, the problem of “zooming out” does not inherently mean that a DLP printer produces low print quality, but rather that its resolution is concentrated for smaller prints.

Speed in 3d printing is essential this is why these printers exhibit faster speeds compared to their counterparts. This makes them stand out and are more preferred.

Stereolithography is the oldest 3D printing technique, with 3D Systems commercializing it in the mid-1980s. SLA"s invention over 30 years ago marked the beginning of 3D printing, which has since grown to impact millions of people"s lives. SLA uses a laser beam to selectively solidify portions of a resin that has been deposited in a resin tank. The laser beam is guided to the exact region to be cured by mirrors called galvanometers, which are located at the bottom of the tank. This continues until the layer is fully cured then the construct platform rises one layer higher, and the process is repeated until the component is completed.

Normally, the laser is fixed, and moving mirrors (galvanometers) are used to focus the laser beam precisely where it is required. Since the printer targets light rather than directs a nozzle, which can be done much more specifically, the layer heights from such printers can be very thin. Many SLA printers will print at 25-micron layer heights (or .025mm or .001 inch).

The filament is extruded layer by layer and has a fixed thickness defined by the nozzle while printing with an FDM printer. Detail-oriented prints are difficult to achieve using this method. When working on this form of project, you"ll need a lot of post-processing to get it to the desired state. This is a challenge that none of the other 3D printers have.

The most important distinction between SLA and DLP is the process of resin curing. A projector is used in DLP, an LCD screen is used in LCD 3D printing, and a UV laser is used in SLA to trace the dimensions to be printed. Since DLP and LCD can construct whole layers at once, they are quicker than SLA, which involves manually tracing the dimensions of each layer with the laser. Another minor difference worth mentioning is that DLP 3D printers usually have shallower resin tanks, which store resin content during printing. This is beneficial if you want to save money because it eliminates the loss of costly unused resins.

When it comes to print quality comparison these printers may differ in one way or the other. Resin 3D printing is known for being one of the most detailed and accurate 3D printing technologies, and even low-cost LCD printers can produce complex geometries that Fused Deposition Modeling can"t match. To be frank, the print quality of an LCD 3D printer versus a DLP or SLA 3D printer is highly dependent on the 3D printer. With higher quality components and better resolutions and accuracy, an expensive SLA 3D printer will outperform a cheap DLP 3D printer.

Some resins can be used in both DLP and SLA printers, as well as DLP and LCD printers, so there is some crossover. However, although some 3D printer companies allow their machines to use some third-party resins, others only allow them to use their own branded resins. The best resins for you will eventually be determined by your goals for SLA, DLP, or LCD 3D printing. Basic resins, as well as castable, dental, engineering, and 3D, printed jewelry resins, are available for hobbyist 3D printer projects.

DLP and LCD printers are usually faster than SLA printers because SLA needs a laser to travel over each region of the component to be solidified, whereas DLP and LCD can cure entire layers instantly. Which is faster between DLP and LCD depends, once again, on the 3D printer you buy. More costly resin 3D printers will almost certainly print faster and with higher quality than a $300 LCD 3D printer, and a $2,500 DLP 3D printer will almost certainly print faster.

There are different 3d printer types for you to choose from depending on the specific requirements you have. Keep in mind that the best way to get quality is by working with a qualified 3d printer brand that will provide great industry options. Once you have your specific printer type in mind, discover the different 3d printers in the market that meet your exact needs. This will give you a leg up and allow you to find a printer that will meet your needs as desired.

Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), and LCD are three very similar resin 3D printing technologies. They all use photopolymer resins in a resin tank, and cure the resin to form solid 3D printer models. But there are subtle differences to consider when choosing whether to buy a DLP vs SLA 3D printer, or when considering a 3D printing service.

This article considers the differences between SLA, LCD and DLP. If you want any specific information about these technologies, we have written detailed guides on:

Stereolithography is the oldest 3D printing technology, having been commercialized way back in the mid-1980s by 3D Systems. The invention of SLA over 30 years ago marks the inception of 3D printing, which has evolved to change millions of lives today.

SLA uses a laser beam to selectively solidify parts of the resin, stored in a resin tank or resin vat. The laser beam is shone at the bottom of the tank, and is directed by mirrors called galvanometers to the precise area to be cured.

DLP 3D printing uses a projector, rather than a UV light laser as with SLA. The projector flashes light onto the entire layer of resin at once, selectively solidifying the part using thousands of minuscule mirrors called DMDs (digital micromirror devices) that direct the projection of light.

More recently, low cost LCD 3D printers have become popular, offering better quality than FDM 3D printers can for the same price. These resin 3D printers use LCD panels using LED lights to cure resin in a similar way to DLP 3D printers.

As with DLP, LCD 3D printing involves flashing entire layers at once to cure resin housed in the resin tank, but LCD printers don’t use mirrors. Instead, powerful LCD panels shine light via LEDs at the model, which the LCD panel blocks off in the areas that are not to be solidified.

The LCD screen only lets the light pass through areas that are to be cured into the finished part, simplifying the process and removing the need for any mirrors or galvanometers.

Resin 3D printing is known for being one of the most accurate and precise 3D printing technologies, and even low cost LCD printers are able to create complex geometries that technologies like Fused Deposition Modeling just cannot match.

Honestly, the print qality of an LCD 3D printer compared to a DLP or SLA 3D printer depends on the 3D printer used. An expensive SLA 3D printer will be far better than a cheap DLP 3D printer, with higher quality components used and better resolutions and precision.For more information on resolutions, we have a guide to high resolution 3D printers.

If you’re choosing between an SLA or DLP 3D printer, what’s best for you depends largely on your printing priorities.View our ranking of the best resin 3D printers.

If you value reliability, go with an established brand known for solid printing such as Formlabs’ Form 3 SLA printer. Again, the technology differences are small enough that it is more based on what you as an individual require, rather than choosing between two technologies.

In the same vein, if you need a printer capable of producing jewelry molds, or models for use in dentistry, pick a printer that specializes in these areas such as an EnvisionTEC DLP printer or a Formlabs SLA printer.

Some resins may work with both DLP and SLA printers, or with DLP and LCD printers, so there is some overlap. But not always, as though some 3D printer companies allow their machines to be used with any third party resins, some restrict them to only use their branded resins.

The best resins for you ultimately depend on what you’re looking to achieve with SLA, DLP or LCD 3D printing. Basic resins exist for fun, hobbyist 3D printer projects, as well as specialized castable, dental, engineering, or 3D printed jewelry resins.

Due to SLA involving a laser passing over each area of the part to be solidified, while DLP and LCD can cure whole layers instantly, DLP and LCD are generally faster than SLA printers.

As for which is faster between DLP and LCD, again this depends on the 3D printer you purchase. More expensive resin 3D printers will likely print faster and at better quality, and a $2,500 DLP 3D printer will almost certainly print faster than a $300 LCD 3D printer.

Overall, the differences between DLP and SLA are minimal, but can be important depending on what you’re looking for in a technology or printer. These differences mean it is best to evaluate printers on a case-by-case basis rather than on the actual technology, to make sure you get what you want. Pick the best 3D printer for you, not the best technology.

The market for desktop resin 3D printers is booming — more and more manufacturers are offering compact devices for every taste. Earlier, this niche was firmly occupied by machines based on SLA and DLP technologies. Nowadays, however, there is a significant development of expensive 3D printing technologies, one of them is LCD, meaning printers with a liquid-crystal matrix. This is the technology that was used by the company that successfully received funding on Kickstarter twice — a Taiwanese manufacturer Phrozen, which is the main focus of this article.

Phrozen, founded by a group of Taiwanese engineers, has been around since 2013. In 2017, the company launched its first prototype — a 3D printer, which used an LCD matrix to create an image on a layer of photopolymer resin. Phrozen was able to raise more than $375,000 on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform, with a stated goal of $30,000. In 2019, the company repeated its success, raising more than $519,000, with the same modest goal of thirty thousand. In both cases, the sponsors were interested in getting a printer with unique characteristics at a reasonable price.

The LCD printing process is almost identical to the DLP technology. In DLP, the three-dimensional product is created by curing layer after layer of resin with UV light. The main difference is that LCD-based 3D printers use a bank of UV LEDs to project light through a mask of the layer on an LCD panel. In DLP 3D printers however, a set of micro mirrors is used to selectively project UV light to create an image on the resin layer.

What makes Phrozen 3D printers stand out from other manufacturers? The main distinguishing features are the ability to quickly print out several units simultaneously, a great variety of brand resins, and compatibility with third-party materials. In addition to that, other features such as easy maintenance of the resin vat with FEP film, a high-resolution LCD matrix that allows printing with an accuracy of 0.047 mm, and low cost are worth mentioning.

Another remarkable feature is the Phrozen’s signature UV engine — paraLED, which provides a perpendicular and uniform light flow in relation to the LCD matrix.The construction is made up of an array of LEDs with a system of concave glass forms. The printing platform moves along the Z-axis on linear bearings on two rigid rails, which helps to avoid the usual printing errors for 3D printers of the same price category.

The Phrozen Sonic 4K 2022 is a desktop 3D printer that is considered to be the best entry-level solution for dental application.The machine uses the so-called mono-LCD technology, which allows it to use a more transparent LCD screen compared to standard ones.

The Phrozen Sonic Mini is a professional high-speed MSLA 3D printer introduced as the compact version of the Phrozen Sonic. It features the same proprietary mono-LCD technology allowing for great curing speed and high quality of resulting 3D models.

The Sonic Mini 4K operates with the utmost degree of reliability and precision. A long-life monochrome LCD screen guarantees at least 2000 hours of productive work. A solid frame with increased stability and a decent build volume make the Sonic Mini 4K ideal for both entry-level and experienced makers.

The model is considered to be one of the best cost-effective solutions among LCD 3D printers to date. It can be successfully used by small businesses and printing enthusiasts for a range of various applications.

The Phrozen Sonic Mini 8K features the highest resolution of 22 microns and 1152 PPI, which outperforms all consumer electronics on the market. Moreover, the machine boasts the 7.1" LCD screen with larger printing space and 18 cm Z-axis. Due to the frosted laser cut building plate, printed models attach firmly onto the build plate. In combination with the stable dual linear rails, it makes for smooth and impeccable printing of extremely detailed miniatures, bust sculpts, etc.

The Phrozen Sonic Mighty 4K is a resin 3D printer that is equipped with a monochrome LCD screen with a 4K resolution and 9.3" diagonal, which is 1.5 times larger compared to its counterpart, the Sonic Mini 4K. The massive build volume allows creating large scale models, while the proprietary ParaLED matrix and dual Z-axis guides provide the stability and high precision of printing.

The Phrozen Sonic Mega 8K is an industrial-grade mono-LCD 3D printer with a long-life monochrome LCD screen and ultra-high 8K definition. This professional machine is able to create remarkably detailed models. Due to its massive build volume, the printer allows producing multiple batches of 3D parts at really short times.

The Phrozen Ultra-Sonic Cleaner is a post-processing cleaning device for SLA/DLP 3D printed models. It allows removing supports and uncured resin in an effective and completely safe way. The cleaner has a double fuse power system, reliable heat control system (20–80 °C), and digital timer with a range of 1 to 30 minutes.

“I have had a lot of fun with the Phrozen Shuffle XL, trying to push the limits of what I thought I could do with resin. I have been able to print huge amounts of models all in one go — all those Avengers minis were printed at the same time — as well as much larger models. The cheerful pilot model may be my favorite from now on, and you can see in the pictures that all of the details are pin sharp. It doesn’t matter that I printed her at 240 percent; she still looks immaculate”.

Advancements in material science, control systems, and microelectronics have made 3D printing technology accessible to nearly anyone. 3D printers turn a 3D computer model into a real-world part using a variety of additive manufacturing methods. This article will detail the oldest yet high-resolution technologies in the additive manufacturing toolkit, stereolithography (SLA) printing. We will explore what SLA is, how it works, its pros & cons, and how to select an SLA printer based on specifications and application. By the end of this article, readers should gain an understanding of this 3D printing technology and should be able to pick out an SLA printer from the dozens of choices on the market.

Stereolithography printing predates most other 3D printing methods, being developed in 1986 by Chuck Hull, founder of the first 3D printing company 3D Systems. SLA remains one of the most accurate 3D printing processes to date, only surpassed by innovations in its original design.

Stereolithography (SLA) is a 3D printing technology that spawned the so-called vat polymerization process found throughout the additive manufacturing world. SLA uses a vat of thermosetting resin and a controllable UV laser to selectively cure resin layer-by-layer onto a build platform. This laser is directed by a pre-programmed 3D model, which guides the laser to “draw” each layer of the model onto the build platform. The SLA process can print parts upside-down (known as bottom-up printing) as well as right-side-up (known as top-down printing). Many desktop SLA designs will implement a bottom-up design to maximize build volume, whereas top-down SLA designs are common throughout the industrial sector to produce much larger parts. Note that either arrangement uses the same process, despite having different forms. SLA shares many similarities with the digital light processing (DLP) process; however, it is distinct from DLP based on its use of a focusing laser, its enhanced resolution, and its longer build times. To learn more about the differences, visit our article all about digital light processing 3D printing.

SLA printers are programmable machines that accept CAD models and print them into real-world parts. These files must first be in the form of .STL files, which allow a 3D model to be “sliced” into numerous layers via a slicing program. In the SLA process, a vat of UV-curable liquid resin is selectively exposed to a UV laser which “paints” each layer, hardening it into a solid. This process is repeated for each layer in the model, until the part is removed from the vat and cleaned, at which point it is ready for use.

SLA prints are impressively high resolution and require little post-processing besides support removal. This method of 3D printing is best used for oddly intricate and organic shapes that would challenge other printers.

Figure 1: Side diagram of the functional components of an SLA printer. Note this is a simplified diagram that may deviate from other 3D printer designs.

Figure 1 illustrates the functional components of SLA printers. We will detail each of these parts, starting with the bottom and moving up the diagram. Note that Figure 1 shows a bottom-up 3D printer, which will be used to explain the functionality of this process. Right-side-up models function identically, save for the laser’s orientation.

Unlike DLP printers which use a projected screen to cure large areas of a layer at once, an SLA printer must position its laser at each point for a set period (usually 5-12 seconds). SLA printing is both slower yet more accurate for this reason, as the laser is much smaller than the pixels on a DLP display and provides true rounded edges but must be tediously drawn over the whole part.

A printer’s photopolymer vat and its photo-curable resin are as vital as its laser system. The photopolymer vat is a container that holds the 3D printing liquid. The floor of bottom-up SLA printers is coated with a clear, nonstick layer that allows for the laser to pass into the resin but prevents adhesion to the vat itself.

Below is a brief table displaying the different materials that can be used in an SLA printer. Note that they are all kinds of resins but are formulated based on application:

The final major components of an SLA printer are its build platform, elevator, and sweeper. As its name suggests, the build platform is the perforated plate on which the cured resin is built up. It starts submerged in the liquid resin, exactly one layer-thickness away from the bottom of the vat. The first layer solidifies between the bottom of the vat and the build platform, but because of the nonstick layer only adheres to the build platform. After this first layer is complete, the elevator moves the part out of the resin, the sweeper sweeps the liquid surface to reset the process, and the elevator moves the part down so that it is exactly another layer-thickness away from the vat floor (not all SLA printers perform these exact steps, but the basic ideas are the same). This cycle continues until the entire part is finished. Figure 2 shows a diagram of these steps:

Figure 2: How a bottom-up SLA printer prints a layer between the build platform and the vat (a & b), raises the platform and resets the liquid using the sweeper (c), and then lowers the part back down to print another layer (d).

The last important aspect to note about SLA is that every print will require support structures. These are the vertical lines shown in Figures 1 and 2 and are typically thin, trussed sections in between the overhangs of a part. They are used in both upright and bottom-up SLA printers but are especially needed in the latter to provide a place for resin to adhere to. Without supports in bottom-up printers, the laser would have no solid structure to build upon in later layers. Also, since these types have to “peel” the part off the bottom of the vat each time a new layer is formed, the part experiences more stresses and requires more supporting material to stay accurate. Every SLA part will require support, which means that every SLA print requires at least some post-processing.

While not nearly as prevalent as FDM printers, SLA 3D printing has some significant advantages, as well as downsides. Below is a brief list of advantages of SLA technology:

SLA parts are isotropic – unlike FDM parts, they can be used in any X, Y, or Z planes with no change in strength thanks to their covalent bonding. SLA parts are also watertight for this same reason.

The mechanical properties and visual appearance of SLA parts degrade over time when exposed to sunlight, preventing their use in exposed/outdoor applications.

Selecting an SLA printer can be challenging, especially if you are just learning about this technology. The following sections will outline the most important specifications when choosing an SLA printer, as well as help you to select the right one for your specific needs. Note that there are many more specifications than what appears in this article, but these should cover the most significant areas.

How/where will the printer be used? Determining what kind of printer to pick should firstly come from your intended application. If it will be used mainly for hobbies, consider a smaller desktop model that is simple and inexpensive. On the other hand, if you require a high volume of large parts with low lead times, consider the larger industrial SLA models. Note that these industrial models are a serious investment both in cost and in set up, so you will want to look at the desktop printers most of the time.

If you are looking into SLA printing, chances are that you are interested in the unique material qualities they provide. Understanding the properties of your desired part, as well as the potential range of material options, are important selection criteria and should be at the forefront of your search. Are you looking for a printer that can handle many different resins? Or are you interested in a specialty resin that requires a specific printer setup? Outline if your part must be transparent, biocompatible, flexible, heat-resistant, or otherwise specialized in any way, and use these specifications to find a printer that can handle those materials.

Another reason to choose an SLA printer over other models is for its accuracy; but how accurate does it need to be? Understanding the dimensional accuracy of a given printer, its minimum layer thickness, and its smallest possible shapes (known as the minimal printable feature size) will help achieve the best outcomes for your prints. Typical ranges for dimensional accuracy in SLA printers are between ±0.5% – ±0.15% of true value, while layer thicknesses range from 25-150 microns. If printing very small parts that must conform to the values of a 3D model, then consider a printer with specs on the lower side of these ranges.

The size of an SLA printed part is dependent on the volume of the printer’s vat, the maximum Z-axis height, and the effective build platform space. Make sure to research these three physical aspects of a printer to ensure that you will have enough space to print. Also, determining the overall size and weight of the printer is important, as these machines can be heavy (300+ lbs) and/or may not be suited for your work environment. Finally, including any needs such as Wi-Fi chips, USB and SD slots, controller displays, and other electronics will help with uploading 3d models and streamlining the printing process.

SLA is an invaluable 3D printing process for applications that call for it. Below is a brief list of some SLA printing applications but know that many more exist:

This article presented an understanding of what stereolithography printing is and how it works. We hope this brief investigation shows the precision of SLA technology and how it can be used to augment your workflow. For more information on related products, consult our other guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform to locate potential sources of supply or view details on specific products.

SLA 3D printers are used in various industries, from jewelry to dentistry to several companies, at affordable prices. We’ve compiled a list of the ten leading SLA 3D printers based on our research. Before that, let’s refresh what we know about SLA.

Stereolithography is also known as SLA. This method uses a UV laser and mirrors (galvanometers) to cure the photosensitive resin. It was one of the very first additive printing methods. SLA 3D printers were first invented in 1986 by Chuck Hull.

After SLA, many similar improvised processes emerged, such as DLP. However, SLA has not lost its significance over time. It’s used in the jewelry, automobile, and aerospace industries to make prototypes and functional parts.

There are hundreds of SLA 3D printers available in the market. If you want to buy one for your company, screening out each 3D printer that meets your requirements is time-consuming and exhausting, especially if you have no prior experience.

XYZPrinting is well-known for producing high-quality SLA 3D printers. The company began by manufacturing low-cost FDM 3D printers, but as demand for SLA printers grew, it expanded to include resin 3D printers.

Anycubic, a Chinese company, created the Proton S, the cheapest SLA 3D printer. It provides complex 3D prints. It’s a better version of the original Proton. The plastic resin is cured using a UV lamp.

Form 3 is a more sophisticated version of Form 2. Low Force Stereolithography is used, which is superior to SLA. The built-in volume of the printer is 145 x 145 x 185 mm. The layer resolution is set to 25 microns.

Uniz, a California-based company, created Slash Pro for professional use. For 3D printing, it is based on LCD technology. It has a build volume of 192 x 120 x 400 mm and can be used with any of the five resin types.

SLA 3D printers can produce high-quality prints, and their prices have dropped significantly in recent years. Both personal users and businesses can afford them.

This is why we compiled this list to show you the best SLA 3D printers on the market, but you must choose one, or you can also try our SelfCAD 3D Modeling and Printing software.

In SLA printers, this resin is cured with a UV laser. DLP printers, on the other hand, use a so-called DLP projector, which projects the print object or the layer currently to be printed onto a pixelated canvas. As the name suggests, LCD printers use an LCD screen and a UV light source. In our shop, you will find a large selection of inexpensive resin printers of different technologies and determine the right device for you.

The deal was too good to pass up, but ended up to be too good to be true. The first one I got was a dud as the LCD screen went out and was ruining every print I tried. the FEP sheet is flimsy and I"ve gone through 3 of them due to mechanical issues puncturing them. I have gotten some very good prints out of it, but then something happens and it stopped working. Monoprice support is awesome and RMA"d it for me due to the screen. I got the replacement one about a week later and got a few more prints done with some Elegoo water washable resin. That was until the FEP sheet punctured again and I ended up with a layer of resin stuck on the glass. I was able to clean it up with ISO alcohol (91%) and replace the FEP sheet with Monoprice"s replacement sheets. I printed out 2 more things and while I was printing out the third run, the build plate arm is now stuch in the lowered position. I, thankfully, was able to get the vat out to empty of it of resin, but It will not go up, or down anymore. Found no help on the troubleshooting page and no information anywhere on the internet, forums, Facebook page that is helpful. I think I"m going to get my money back and buy something a bit more expensive that is supported and will actually work better. No 3D printer is perfect, but this one (or two) are leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Normally Monoprice equipment is solid and quality. I wish I could say the same thing for this printer. Oh well, you can"t win "em all!

This guide is intended to provide a baseline for the tools and information needed to start resin 3D printing. Resin printing aka SLA (stereolithography) uses UV (ultraviolet) activated chemicals to manufacture highly detailed three-dimensional geometry. MSLA (Masked SLA) uses a UV LED array with a LCD screen that masks the light with pixels. DLP (Digital Light Processing) uses tiny mirrors to selectively display the UV light. Proper SLA uses a laser to spot cure sections of a layer.

Monochrome (mono) screens are the main innovation in the newest generation of MSLA resin printers. These cure ~4 times faster than the color LCD screen resin printers and the screen life is estimated at 2,000 hours.

Medium resin printers are ideal if you need the larger build volume or want to batch print smaller parts. The functionality is identical to the smaller printers but the price of the printer and replacement parts is higher.

SLA resin printers use lasers and galvanometers to produce images instead of a monochrome screen. These printers are more expensive, more synonymous with industrial environments, and can use higher-end engineering materials that generally have better properties.

Monochrome LCD (mono) should be chosen over RGB/color screens due to: increased screen life (≈x4 longer), shorter layer cure times (≈2 seconds instead of ≈10), and reduction to energy use.

This can be beneficial for specific models that don"t need supports, but remember that the first few layers can have elephants foot. This can be mitigated by chamfering the model in CAD, shrinking the model in UVTools, or utilizing extended light-off delays.

Most resin prints should start with a few heavy supports on the first few layers of contact, ideally somewhere that is out of sight. Medium supports should be used to start every other island and should be stair-stepped in multiple directions to provide rigidity. Then, go back and place a healthy amount of light supports between and around all medium supports.

Budget resins are good for general prints but are brittle - if you desire impact resistance then you will need to use a durable resin or mix a flexible with your choice of budget resin.

The primary issue with resin sitting idle, especially colored resins, is that it will need to be mixed before printing. This can be done in the vat, but externally stirring the resin ensures that it is mixed thoroughly and prevents the FEP from being damaged.

Safety glasses are highly recommended, especially if you wear contact lenses. Chemical coveralls may seem like overkill but it does provide full-body protection. Smocks, lab coats, aprons, and long clothing are good compromises. Taking showers after interacting with resin can remove unnoticed resin exposure.

Resin printers like the Photon Mono or Mono 4K will need a universal vat from a brand like Sovol if you wish to use any FEP sheet. Having a second vat is pretty useful if you plan on switching colors or materials often.

When it comes time to replace the FEP sheet on your vat, we recommend going with McMaster"s FEP. You can buy as much as you need, it is made by Saint-Gobain in the USA, and McMaster"s FEP is technically CHEMFILM ® PFA. PFA is the material of the marketing term "nFEP" - we know it is a bit confusing.

LCD screens for resin printers can last upwards of 2,000 hours of use, but they can certainly fail much earlier. This number is counted as printing hours, so a 10 hour print is 10 hours off. Good practices for screen health can include: using faster curing resin, protecting it from resin, avoiding extreme temperatures, using a surge protector, and avoiding unnecessary vibrations.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are a crucial part of Service Level Management, and therefore one of the key components of IT service management. They are the basis for building and delivering IT services, and play a key role in ensuring that both the client and the service provider are on the same page and that the service delivery is at par with or exceeds customer expectations.

In this article, we’ll cover every aspect of SLAs: what they are, their components, and advantages and disadvantages, as well as some of the commonly asked questions about SLAs.

SLAs are essentially a contract between a service provider and a client. They detail the nature of services that will be provided and their quality and performance metrics. They were used by telecom operators and internet service providers, and are now employed by companies and organizations in many industries.

SLAs can be between more than two parties and different departments or units in an organization. Though their main goal is to align the services provided with those required by the client, they can be legally binding. In fact, they also contain measures to be initiated in case the service provider could not deliver the services or meet the specified quality requirements.

For example, most cloud service providers often 99.99% (often referred to as four nines) or even 99.999% uptime for their services in their SLAs. And if they fail to deliver on it, they’ll give service credits (points that can be redeemed for cloud services).

From a client’s perspective, an SLA guarantees that the requested services will be delivered; it assures the client that they will fit their requirements. The SLA dictates the standards for every service provided and how these standards will be measured.

From a service provider perspective, the SLA ensures clear communication between them and the client. It removes (to a large extent) ambiguity between client expectations and what the service provider understood. It reduces the possibility of a dispute over services delivered, and if a conflict does occur, the SLA offers remedial mechanisms.

The document also dictates the deliverables from the client’s end as well. It dictates the elements or resources, such as different documents, access credentials, information, and other resources the service provider may need to deliver the services.

Another benefit is that the SLA standardizes the processes for the service provider. Every client may have different requirements, but with carefully documented SLAs, they can align client requirements with the organization’s operations. An SLA helps service providers organize resources efficiently.

As you can imagine, the exact components of a service level agreement may vary between service providers, industries, and the clients" specific requirements. And there are many guidelines on how to build an SLA.

Besides these components, customers or service providers may add additional elements, such as the goals of the parties involved (for a general good faith interpretation of the SLA) or situations in which the SLA doesn’t apply or is wholly voided.

For example, in the case of cloud service, 99.99% availability may seem good for a layperson, but this translates to 3.65 days of unavailability in a year.

By defining the service levels, the SLA brings the service provider on the same page on what good quality service means. These service-level metrics could be MTTR, MMTF, FCR, and other KPIs that may translate to availability, reliability, security, and other factors.

This dictates how the processes will be monitored and reported to see how far the service provider meets the defined service levels. The SLA may define the tools, format, or even third-party services used to monitor the service levels. It may also determine how often the reports may be reviewed.

The SLA will specify how long it is valid and how often it may be renewed. It may also determine how the SLA may be terminated before the end of the service date, the conditions for the same, and how both parties will respond to it. It may specify a notice period from all parties.

These service level agreements are more for clear communication and understanding and less about ramifications in case the requirements are unmet. Theinternal SLAs will indeed contain service level targets and dictate monitoring and reporting.

A customer-based SLA is between an individual customer or a group of customers and a service provider. These SLAs are designed around all the services rendered to the group of customers.

A service-based SLA revolves around a specific service. They are not unique to a customer or a group of customers but are typical for all the customers who avail of the particular service.

A corporate-level SLA applies to organizations and the customers who avail of specific services. A service-level SLA may apply to organizations and customers benefitting from particular services.

Multilevel service level SLAs are used in large organizations that may offer many different services to customers and standardize the SLAs for other customers.

A SaaS company offering different services may have an individual plan, a team plan that supports ten users, and an enterprise plan that supports more than 100 users. A corporate-level SLA may have conditions that prohibit users from selling the services to other users or copying the UI of the solution. For users on different plans, separate SLAs may dictate conditions for availability.

SMART means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. So, ensure the SLA has concrete goals, not vague or subjective statements. If the service provider has met the objectives of the SLA, it should be possible to measure performance. You want to ensure that the SLAs help your business grow.

Don’t overcomplicate SLAs unnecessarily. Use plain language and avoid jargon. Simple SLAs are understood and referred to; complicated SLAs create confusion and are left behind.

Don’t make a watermelon out of your SLAs — all green on the outside and red on the inside. Service providers and clients often use metrics that sound great on the technical side but don’t align with the business goals. All the metrics are ideal, but the client experience is abysmal.

For example, imagine a service provider hosting a website for a client. The SLA mention 99.99% availability, and the provider have exceeded it for a given month. But the website is super slow, and the client is losing customers.

You’ll also have to be careful with service credits in the SLAs. They must incentivize the provider to meet the service requirements and highlight its essential aspects. The threshold should be set considering the provider’s capabilities and client requirements. Nobody wants a situation where the service provider considers missing targets and charges a premium to cover the service credits.

Don’t build a service level agreement and keep it the same throughout the relationship with the client. Review and renew the SLAs whenever the requirements or services are changed besides the periodic renewals.

Different services have different specifications, and customers have different requirements. You need other metrics for various services. While you can keep a general SLA template, you must tailor it for individual requirements. You don’t want to use the same SLA for cloud services and IT support.

You’ll also need separate SLAs for separate groups of customers, if not individual customers. Small organizations may not be able to afford or even need the service levels that large organizations will need.

If your business offers multiple services or serves various types of customers, developing multi-level service agreements may be a good idea. With this, you can standardize these to a large extent and customize them as needed.

While SLAs continue to help organizations deliver IT services aligned with their customers" needs, they have a couple of drawbacks. Here are two of them that showcase how SLAs require a reasonable faith interpretation to work, which sometimes makes them less effective.

For example, consider an app that meets all the availability criteria, but the time it goes down is during peak usage hours. Or an e-commerce platform that can handle peak loads and meets all the requirements in the SLA, but customers keep abandoning their cart right before checkout.

For this reason, experts have suggested focusing on XLAs or Experience Level Agreements, not as an alternative but to augment the SLAs. They bring the “voice of the customer” into service management.

"XLAs do not replace SLAs. XLAs work hand in hand, they augment SLAs. [...] Whatever you learn is most important to people and impacting their overall sentiment is going to be in your XLA.

hearing the service experience. We can still keep our blessed SLAs and track service levels. [...] But we"re going to supplement them. We"re going to start listening to number one, what the customers actually care about, what they value, and then you can start measuring that because that"s what"s important to them."

From a client perspective, the SLA"s goal is to guarantee service delivery at targeted service levels. And they define the service levels and penalties to reflect this. The penalties are often monetary, so the service provider will be incentivized to prevent loss. This is how the mechanism works, but it can have unintended consequences.

Or consider a situation where a client wants uninterrupted service delivery during peak hours. For this, the client sets a very high service level and huge penalties if the provider fails to meet them. If the service is interrupted, there’s no way the service provider can mitigate their loss. So if the service does fail, the provider has no incentive to get it back up.

Of course, some SLAs include service credit buyback opportunities, in which the provider can reclaim the credits by exceeding or maintaining the service levels. But this strategy undermines the service credit mechanism; clients can afford not to meet the service level requirements.

Most cloud service providers showcase the SLAsfor theircloud services —like Azure or AWS. These SLAs are reasonably simple and easy to understand but are at the same time very specific. And they all have different SLAs for different services.

They usually dictate the availability criteria, the scope of services, the parties involved, and the service credit if the SLA requirements are not met. Since many users with similar needs define their business model, they are standard for almost all users availing of the same plan for the same service.

SLAs between SaaS providers and customers (often referred to as subscription service agreements) are similar to cloud service SLAs in that they apply to the entire customer base, or at least all customers on the same plan.

A Service Level Agreement or an SLA is a document that dictates the nature of services delivered by service providers and clients. The document dictates the type of services, service levels, and how the service will be provided. They can be between an organization and external customers or between different departments in an organization.

Three different types of SLAs are Customer-based SLAs, Service-based SLAs, and Multi-level SLAs. Customer-based SLAs are defined around a customer or catering to the requirements of a specific group of customers. Service-based SLAs are for all customers receiving a particular service.

Multi-level SLAs usually have multiple levels or parts, each referring to a provider"s customers, a specific customer group, and customers receiving certain services. Each level may have different SLAs, and a particular customer may get a combination of SLAs from all the levels.

One of the most common challenge is to make SLAs aligned with customer needs and provider capabilities. It is crucial and challenging to design an SLA that motivates the service provider to deliver quality services and prioritize the essential service delivery aspects.

The four aspects of an SLA are service delivery, service level metrics, service monitoring, reporting, and remedies and penalties if service levels are not met.