| What is Stereolithography? | | | | complexity of the object. The accuracy is very good |
| Stereolithography has many names and few of them | | | | having tolerance within .004"/inch. The problem again is |
| are 3D layering, 3D printing, solid free-form fabrication, | | | | that SLA devices or machines are too expensive. |
| photo-solidification and solid imaging. It is the most | | | | Photo-curable resin used in Stereolithography can cost |
| common and extensively used form of rapid | | | | as high as $800 per gallon. Then the process involved |
| manufacturing and rapid prototyping. Stereolithography | | | | in SLA produces fumes due to which it requires a well |
| fabricates 3D parts and allows creating solid 3D | | | | ventilated environment |
| objects from CAD models with high precision and | | | | Best Part of Rapid Prototyping: |
| excellent surface finish within few hours (time depends | | | | Since 1986, the year of its invention, SLA has taken |
| upon size and complexity). Machines used for | | | | large steps equally in its machine design and resources |
| Stereolithography are known as Stereolithography | | | | used for it. SLA is real rapid modeling and is fast |
| Apparatus (SLA). | | | | switching from rapid prototyping to rapid manufacturing. |
| Advantages and Disadvantages: | | | | It can be an exceptionally convenient and valuable |
| Stereolithography provides a quick and simple means | | | | process in many conditions and for many industries. It |
| to convert CAD models into real objects. This is very | | | | has been used effectively to aid surgeons with ear |
| useful where time is money. The constraint as | | | | implants and can be used in almost every industry |
| mentioned above is that the time to produce three | | | | from jewellery manufacturing to military, power, marine |
| dimensional parts depends upon the size and | | | | etc. This makes it the best part of rapid prototyping. |