Fine-detail resin. Smooth surface. Next-day capable.

SLA achieves ±0.1 mm dimensional accuracy typical, ±0.05 mm for small features with careful orientation. Feature detail: 0.1 mm minimum feature size. Layer thickness 25-100 µm (25 µm for finest detail, slower). SLA is the finest-detail 3D printing process — captures features smaller than SLS/MJF can reproduce.

Standard SLA resins have limited toughness — brittle, low impact resistance. They break rather than deform. Suitable for visual/static applications. For functional testing, use tough resin grades or consider SLS/MJF nylon which has full production-grade mechanical properties. Standard resin parts work as handling models but should not be drop-tested.

Most SLA resins yellow and become brittle under UV exposure — cured photopolymer continues to degrade. Standard SLA parts have 1-3 year indoor service life. For long-service parts: use UV-stabilized resin grades, or recognize SLA as prototype-only material. For production parts requiring UV stability, consider other processes.

Every SLA part requires: (1) support structure removal (printed supports for overhanging geometry), (2) isopropanol wash (removes uncured resin from surface), (3) UV post-cure (completes polymerization). Additional optional: sanding, polishing for optical clarity on clear parts, priming and painting for cosmetic parts. Post-processing typically 1-4 hours per part.

Our SLA machines: 200 × 200 × 300 mm build envelope. Larger parts split into assemblies and bonded. Lead time: 24 hours for simple parts (single build cycle) — upload by 5 PM, ship next morning. Typical orders: 2-3 days. Large orders (20+ parts): 3-5 days for build capacity scheduling.

SLA is cost-competitive with MJF for small parts (under 50mm). Becomes expensive for large parts — SLA resin costs more per cc than MJF nylon powder. For functional testing, MJF typically better value. For visual prototypes with fine detail, SLA is unbeaten. We quote both and recommend based on your priority (detail vs function vs cost).