High Quality 3D Printing is Within Reach!
High Quality 3D printing can be achieved through a method called stereolithography (SLA). This process uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin in what will become the layers of the print. This process naturally uses 100% infill which will allow very sturdy parts as compared to its FDM counterparts. SLA can achieve resolutions on the order of 25 microns in the x and y direction (with a 85 micron laser spot size), and can have layers just as thin depending on the material being used. These parameters are about 4 to 16 times more precise than the leading fused deposition modeling (FDM) desktop 3D printers can achieve. With the robustness and precision, (along with the catalogue of engineering materials available) SLA printing lends itself to creating functional prototypes or even production quality pieces.
Of course, this type of printing comes at a premium compared to FDM printing, but this will be drastically outshone by the unparalleled quality in both strength and precision SLA printing can achieve. SLA printing is great for a variety of areas including engineering, prototyping, robotics, education, artistry and hobbyists, and much more. Below is a comparison shot between the different style of prints. FDM (left) and SLA (right).
FDM print provided by Chase Daigle. You can find Chase on Twitter with @chasedaigle
Both of these prints are fresh off of the printer with no post processing done. The biggest difference to note is the lack of visible layer lines in the SLA version of the print.
FDM printing produces a lower quality print at a lower price, while SLA produces a higher quality print at a higher price. Understanding your application is critical in determining which type of printing is best for your piece.
If SLA printing is something you are looking for, please feel free to reach out to me! I do enjoy learning about new projects and solving problems, so let me help you with your next one!