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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. Here are the top-ranked stereolithography 3d printer companies as of January, 2025: 1.MDPI, 2.Stratasys, 3.3D Systems.
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Categories Related to Stereolithography 3D Printers
A stereolithography 3D printer is a 3D printer that utilizes the stereolithography method.
The stereolithography method is a technique for creating three-dimensional structures by curing and layering a material, which is cured by exposure to ultraviolet light, layer by layer. The material used is usually a liquid light-curable resin such as epoxy or acrylic resin.
Stereolithography 3D printing is the oldest of all the 3D printing technologies currently in practical use and is the most widely used method in the industry.
Stereolithography 3D printers are employed for verifying designs, creating master models, and producing molds.
Due to their capability to produce highly precise, smooth-surfaced objects, stereolithography 3D printers can also be used for manufacturing final products.
The choice of printer types and materials depends on the intended use.
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 process begins by creating the first layer, where the resin is cured by irradiating a laser beam onto a tank filled with light-curing resin liquid. Subsequently, the resin is lowered by one layer from the cured stacked surface, and the next layer is cured in the same manner. This process is repeated to build the model layer by layer.
Precise modeling can be achieved by setting a thin layer thickness, while thicker layers allow for faster and more efficient modeling.
There are several types of stereolithography 3D printers.
Here is a description of typical modeling methods.
Stereolithography 3D printers can be classified into two types based on the direction in which modeling proceeds:
Figure 1. Classification based on modeling direction
Stereolithography 3D printers can also be classified based on how light is applied. Three representative examples are:
Figure 2. Classification is based on the way light is exposed
Stereolithography 3D printers have their advantages and disadvantages:
The light-curing resins used have distinct characteristics, and the choice of resin depends on the intended application. For example, epoxy resin is not resistant to sunlight, while acrylic resin is fragile, making it unsuitable for applications with high forces or durability requirements.
The use of stereolithography 3D printers typically involves three steps: creation and conversion of 3D data, modeling, and post-processing.
Figure 3. Data handled by stereolithography 3D printers
To proceed with stereolithography 3D printing, three types of data are essential: 3D data, STL data, and toolpath data.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Stratasys, established in 1988, and with its headquarters in Los Angeles, California, serves as a manufacturer and supplier of 3D printers, materials, and software solutions. Their product portfolio includes FDM and PolyJet 3D printers, 3D printing, stereolithography technology, and selective absorption fusion (SAF) technology designed for industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and education. Stratasys' technology enables rapid prototyping, tooling production, and direct manufacturing, maintaining ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 standards.
3D Systems is an American manufacturer specializing in 3D printing solutions founded in 1986 and headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The company's product inventory includes 3D printing systems with various customization options, printing materials such as metals, ceramics, and composites, and software for creating printing workflows or applications. They also offer niche services to customers in the healthcare industry, such as bioprinting, surgical planning, and anatomical modeling. 3D Systems facilities can also accommodate on-demand prototype manufacturing for customers in other client industries, which include the aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.
Established in January 2009, MakerBot is a global 3D printer manufacturing company specializing in designing and providing user-friendly 3D printing solutions for various applications. The company’s products are designed for personal and professional use, with various types catering to everyone’s needs and budgets. Also, the company’s printers rely on software enabling users to create objects or download designs from online archives. In addition, MakerBot sells accessories like filament materials and extruders to boost its printers’ capabilities. The company has released six generations of 3D printers since 2009.
Proto Labs, founded in 1999, is a company that provides rapid manufacturing of low-volume 3D printed, CNC-machined, sheet metal, and injection-molded custom parts for prototyping and short-run production, headquartered in the U.S. The company builds strong injection-molded parts by incorporating strategic support features and selecting the right thermoplastics. They offer a wide range of materials and design tips to help customers create stronger molded parts. In 2017, they acquired Rapid Manufacturing to further expand their machining capabilities and introduce sheet metal fabrication into their suite of services. Also, global online manufacturing platform, Hubs, joined their family in early 2021.
GoEngineer, established in 1988 and headquartered in the United States, is a supplier of software, hardware, and services for product design and manufacturing. The company offers a broad range of products, including computer-aided design (CAD) software, 3D printers, and training and support services. It serves industries like engineering, automotive, and aerospace, where efficient product development is essential. These industries utilize the company's solutions to streamline design and manufacturing processes, ultimately improving product quality and reducing time-to-market.
Dassault Systemes, a technology company established in 1981 in France, is a supplier of the 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX) business and innovation platform and virtual software solutions. The company’s SaaS provides individuals, commercial, industrial, and research organizations with a real-time visualization of their business activity and ecosystem. Dassault Systems' core business is the provision of 3D design software, 3D digital mockups, and product lifecycle management. The 3DX cloud-based platform is available with options that include computer-aided design, project management solutions, and three-dimensional rendering. Dassault Systemes' software is used in the architecture, consumer products, lifestyle, and industrial equipment markets, among many others.
MDPI was founded in 1996 and is based in Basel, Switzerland. The company is a pioneer in scholarly, open-access publishing, featuring 417 peer-reviewed journals and 9 conference journals with over 115,000 academic contributors. The company’s journals fall into 10 subjects including biology, economics, medicine, physical sciences, and public health. The company’s pear review system is a dingle-blind assessment with at least two independent reviewers, followed by a final decision of acceptance or rejection by the editor-in-chief. Authors may appeal editorial decisions in case of rejection of articles.
All3DP is an online platform for 3D printing enthusiasts and professionals that was established in 2014 and is headquartered in München, Ridlerstraße 31A, Germany. The company provides a wealth of information, reviews, and resources related to 3D printing technology and its applications. Its platform offers a wide range of content, including news, tutorials, product reviews, and a vast collection of 3D models. All3DP also runs a magazine for digital makers, which contains content on 3D printing, 3D scanning, CAD, laser cutting/engraving, CNC, and SBCs as well as other ever-evolving stories in the world of 3D printing.
Materialise, established in 1990, is a supplier and service provider specializing in printing software and services based in Belgium. The company primarily provides software solutions that cater to various aspects of 3D printing, including design, simulation, and printing preparation. Professionals and industries worldwide use its software for creating 3D models, optimizing designs, and generating print-ready files. Additionally, the company offers 3D printing services that cater to various industries, including medical, automotive, aerospace, art, and fashion.
B&H Foto & Electronics Corporation, founded in 1973 and based in Manhattan, New York City, is a retailer of photo, video, and other technological equipment. B&H is an authorized seller of Sony, Panasonic, Canon, Fuji, and more. The company serves photographers, musicians, and professionals with products related to film, music, photography, audio, art, and technology. The company's main products include photography gear, computers, televisions, drones, surveillance systems, and more. B&H store has nearly 500,000 items in stock for customers who need them.
Ranking as of January 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | MDPI |
21.0%
|
| 2 | Stratasys |
13.4%
|
| 3 | 3D Systems |
12.6%
|
| 4 | Materialise |
10.1%
|
| 5 | All3DP |
9.2%
|
| 6 | Protolabs, Inc. |
9.2%
|
| 7 | 3DEXPERIENCE Company |
9.2%
|
| 8 | MakerBot Industries, LLC |
7.6%
|
| 9 | B&H Foto and Electronics Corp. |
5.9%
|
| 10 | Computer Aided Technology Inc. |
1.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the stereolithography 3d printer page as of January 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
5 | 71.4% |
|
Switzerland
|
1 | 14.3% |
|
Belgium
|
1 | 14.3% |
64 products found - Page 2
64 products - Page 2
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This is a 3D printer that allows you to easily create large models at low running costs. Easy to operate with touch panel. It is easy to maintain a...
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■Medical grade precision with ultra-high speed printing We offer biocompatible and sterilizable anatomical models and medical instruments with a wi...
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■High-speed 2D/3D stereolithography system with the world's smallest submicron precision (standard 0.2 µm, minimum 75 nm) Microlight 3D provides ul...
