10 Stereolithography 3D Printer Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for stereolithography 3d printers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 stereolithography 3d printer manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a Stereolithography 3D Printer?
A stereolithography 3D printer is a 3D printer that uses the stereolithography method.
The light fabrication method is a method of creating a three-dimensional structure by curing and layering layer by layer a material that is cured by exposing it to ultraviolet light. Liquid light-curable resin such as epoxy or acrylic resin is used as the material.
The stereolithography 3D printer method is the oldest of all stereolithography 3D printer technologies currently in practical use. It is the most widespread loading method in the industry.
Uses of Stereolithography 3D Printers
Stereolithography 3D printers are used to verify designs, produce master models, and cast molds.
Stereolithography 3D printers can also be used to produce final products due to their ability to produce highly precise, smooth-surfaced objects.
Different types of printers and materials should be used depending on the intended use.
Principles of Stereolithography 3D Printers
In the optical fabrication method, 3D data is loaded into the printer, and the liquid resin is irradiated with ultraviolet light to create the model.
The first layer is created by curing the resin by irradiating a laser beam onto a tank filled with light-curing resin liquid. Next, the resin is lowered one level from the cured stacked surface, and the next layer is cured in the same manner. This process is repeated over and over again to create the modeling.
If the layer thickness is set to be thin, extremely precise modeling is possible, and if the layer thickness is set to be thick, speedy and efficient modeling is possible.
Types of Stereolithography 3D Printers
There are several types of stereolithography 3D printers.
The following is a description of the typical modeling methods.
1. Classification of Stereolithography 3D Printers According to the Direction in Which the Modeling Proceeds
Stereolithography 3D printers are classified into the following two types according to the direction in which the modeling proceeds.
- Free surface method
Light is shone on the modeling object from above, and the modeling is advanced by piling up the hardened layers. - Hanging method
The modeling object is suspended, and light is irradiated from below to advance modeling.
Classifications of Stereolithography 3D Printers by the Way Light Is Applied
3D printers can be classified into several types according to the way light is irradiated. The following three are representative examples.
- Laser scanning method
This method uses a laser pointer-like light to draw lines of light. - Projector method
A single layer of light is produced by a single irradiation. - Liquid crystal panel method
As with the projector method, light is emitted from a surface. The liquid crystal panel method uses a liquid crystal display instead of a projector to irradiate light.
Other Information on Stereolithography 3D Printers
1. Features of Stereolithography 3D Printers
Stereolithography 3D printers has the following advantages and disadvantages.
- Advantages
High-precision modeling is possible, and the surface of the modeled object is smooth. Also, it can be produced in a relatively short period of time. - Disadvantages
Equipment and resin are expensive, and post-processing is also required.
Light-curing resins used have their own characteristics, and they are used according to the intended use. For example, epoxy resin has low sunlight resistance, and acrylic resin is fragile, making it unsuitable for applications where strong force is applied or durability is required.
2. Stereolithography 3D Printers Procedure
The stereolithography 3D printers are used in the following order: creation and conversion of 3D data, modeling, and post-processing.
- Creation and conversion of 3D data
3D data of the modeling object is created using 3D CAD or a 3D scanner. This data is then converted into STL data and tool path data compatible with the 3D printer to be used, which is then loaded into the 3D printer. - Modeling
The stereolithography 3D printer is used for modeling. - Post-processing
Immediately after modeling, the surface of the modeled object is cleaned with alcohol, etc., because uncured resin remains on the surface of the modeled object. Depending on the resin used, secondary curing may be performed to increase strength. After these processes, the support material used to protect the modeled object from deformation is removed.
3. Data Handled by Stereolithography 3D Printers
Three types of data, 3D data, STL data, and toolpath data, must be handled in order to proceed with stereolithography 3D printers modeling.
- 3D data
3D data can be created using 3D CAD and 3D scanners, etc. 3D CAD creates 3D data by designing the object to be modeled using a computer. 3D scanners acquire 3D data by scanning objects around us. Recently, there are also systems that allow users to easily scan using smartphones and other devices. - STL data
STL data is data that represents 3D data as a collection of triangles and contains information such as the coordinates and normal vectors of the vertices of the triangles. Many 3D CAD software can output STL data, but when creating STL data, it is necessary to check and correct the model to ensure that it is not so broken that it cannot be modeled realistically. - Tool path data
Tool path data is information on how the 3D printer operates to actually create the 3D model. The corresponding toolpath data differs depending on the 3D printer used. The 3D printer must read the toolpath data in order to model the 3D model.
List of 10 Stereolithography 3D Printer Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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- United States of America
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3DEXPERIENCE Company
SLA - Stereolithography
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All3DP
Resin 3D Printing
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Stereolithography 3D Printer Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- MakerBot: 2009 (14 years ago)
Company with a History
- MakerBot: 2009 (14 years ago)
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