3D Printing
3D Printing Services in Rapid Prototyping
SLA and SLS are two widely used 3D printing technologies for plastic parts. These two processes work best for functional testing or as master pattern for vacuum casting molds. SLA and SLS are two additive manufacturing methods, allowing the designer to quickly create complex designs or end-use applications which are not achievable with conventional subtractive methods.
How SLA and SLS Work?
SLA (Stereolithography) is one of the earliest 3D printing methods. SLA (Stereolithography) creates parts with a programmable ultraviolet (UV) laser to cure and solidify layers of liquid photosensitive resin. Thousands of layers will be cured in a repeated way until the final parts are built.
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) is also an early method of making prototypes in the market testing stage or production parts for a wide variety of industries, but the raw material is a nylon-based powder in this time. This technique fuses and solidifies the nylon-based powder into a layer one time under the programmed laser to build the finished products. SLS builds in a powder bed, in which a roller moves down the next layer of powder material.
Materials Selection
We offer numerous SLA material options include ABS, polycarbonate and other grade of thermoplastic-like plastic. We also have different nylon-based SLS material to meet clients’ different stiffness requirements.
Advantages of SLA and SLS
Finding some advantages of SLA and SLS below to see if they are the suitable manufacturing methods for your next project.
- SLA parts have quality surface finish and high resolutions, making it suited for cosmetic prototypes.
- SLS parts is very durable with the property of great impact strength, so that they are widely used in functional tests.
- SLS parts are fast to be built, which is suitable for high volume production runs.
- Low volume SLS parts can be shipped within 2 days.
- No hard tooling investment is needed when compared with plastic injection molding, SLA and SLS are two cost-effective manufacturing processes.
- Both SLA and SLS can create parts with intricate geometries that cannot be achieved by traditional machining methods.
- We use the latest SLA and SLS machines to meet +/- 0.1mm tight tolerance. Greater tolerances can be achieved with post machining upon clients’ request.
Get Your New Project Started
From the initial project review during the free quote stage to the final shipment of your 3D printing parts, our professional technicians will provide you with the highest quality support. Contact us today for your new 3D printing projects.
