SLA 3D printing service
Source high-performing parts for rapid prototyping and production with Protolabs Network's SLA 3D printing service. We offer tons of prototyping and industrial resin materials and can print parts in as little as 1 day.
SLA 3D printer capabilities
SLA 3D printing has two distinct classes: prototyping (desktop) SLA and industrial SLA. These are the key capabilities of each technology.
| Maximum build size | Standard lead time | Dimensional accuracy | Layer height | Minimum feature size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial SLA | 800 x 800 x 550 mm (19.68 in x 19.68 in x 19.68 in) | From 3 business days | ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.13 mm (± 0.005") | 50-100 μm | 0.2 mm |
SLA 3D printed parts come in many materials
Leading companies and engineers that need to iterate quickly or get strong industrial plastic parts faster use Protolabs Network for our range of prototyping and production materials.
Ideal for accurate visual prototypes with smooth surface finishes.
Standard Resin
Grey
Pro Resin
Clear Resin
Durable Resin
High Temp Resin
Flexible Resin 80A
Tough Resin 2000
Rigid Resin 4000
Ideal for durable functional prototypes and high precision parts with smooth surface finishes.
Accura ClearVue
Accura Xtreme White 200
Accura 25
How SLA stacks up against other 3D printing technologies
| Materials | Price | Dimensional accuracy | Strengths | Build volume | Layer thickness | Min. feature size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDM | 5 | $ | ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm | Low cost, wide range of materials | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 100-300μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Industrial FDM | 6 | $$$$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | High level of repeatability, engineering grade materials | 406 x 355 x 406 mm (15.98” x 13.97” x 15.98") | 100-330μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Prototyping SLA | 8 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details | 145 × 145 × 175 mm (5.7" x 5.7" x 6.8") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| Industrial SLA | 3 | $$$ | ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.13 mm (± 0.005") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details, big print area | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| SLS | 2 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012”) | Design flexibility, supports not required | 395 x 500 x 395 mm (15.53" x 19.68" x 15.53") | 100μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
| MJF | 2 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit on ± 0.3 mm (0.012’') | Design flexibility, supports not required | 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9’’ x 11.2’’ x 14.9’') | 80μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
Design guidelines for SLA3D printing
This table summarizes the recommended and technically feasible values for the most common features of SLA 3D printed parts.
Read more about how to design for 3D printing
| Feature | Recommended size |
|---|---|
| Unsupported walls | 1.0 mm (0.0393 in) |
| Supported walls | 0.5 mm (0.0197 in) |
| Minimum feature size | 0.2 mm (0.00787 in) |
| Minimum hole diameter | 0.5 mm (0.0197 in) |
| Minimum escape hole diameter | 4.0 mm (0.157 in) |
Advantages and drawbacks of SLA 3D printing
Advantages
√SLA can produce parts with very high dimensional accuracy and intricate details.
√SLA parts have a very smooth surface finish, making them ideal for visual prototypes.
√Speciality SLA materials are available, such as clear, flexible and castable resins.
Drawbacks
×SLA parts are generally brittle and not suitable for functional prototypes, though industrial SLA can produce more functional components for this stage.
× The mechanical properties and visual appearance of SLA parts will degrade over time when the parts are exposed to sunlight.
× Support structures are always required and post-processing is necessary to remove the visual marks left on the SLA part.
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We have high standards for SLA 3D printing
