How Does SLA Apply in the Rapid Prototyping？

Rapid prototyping technology is an advanced manufacturing technology developed in the 1990s. It is a key technology serving the development of the new product of manufacturing enterprises. It plays an important role in promoting product innovation, shortening the development cycle of new products and improving product competitiveness. Since the advent of this technology, it has been widely used in the manufacturing industries of developed countries and created a new technology field. In fact, there are various principles in this technology, among which the stereo lithography appearance is extremely crucial. Therefore, today we are going to learn about the application of the SLA technology in the rapid prototyping.

 

SLA is the abbreviation of stereo lithography appearance, which is the earliest practical rapid prototyping technology. SLA technology is mainly used to manufacture a variety of molds. It can also be used in raw materials by adding other components, such as using the SLA prototype mold to replace the wax mold in investment casting. SLA technology has faster forming speed and higher precision. However, because of shrinkage in the process of resin curing, stress and deformation will inevitably occur. Therefore, the development trend is to develop photosensitive materials with small shrinkage, fast curing and high strength.

 

Beyond doubts, there is a variety of advantages for the application of the SLA technology. First, SLA technology is the earliest rapid prototyping manufacturing process with high maturity and time-tested. Second, the prototype is made directly from the CAD digital model, which has the advantages of fast processing speed, short production cycle and no need to cut tools. Third, it can process prototypes and dies with complex structures and difficulties to shape. What is more, it can make the digital model of CAD intuitive and reduce the cost of correcting errors. Moreover, the results of computer simulation calculation can be verified and provide samples for experiments by the SLA technology. Finally, it can be operated on-line and controlled remotely, which is beneficial to the automation of production.

 

Of course, there are still some disadvantages. First, SLA system is expensive to use and maintain. Second, SLA system is a precise equipment to operate liquids, which requires strict working environment. Third, most of the moulding parts are resin with limited strength, stiffness and heat resistance, which is not conducive to long-term preservation. What is more, pre-processing software and driver software in the SLA technology have a large amount of calculation and a high correlation with processing effect. Additionally, software system operation is complex and difficult to get started. And the file format is not familiar to the majority of designers. Furthermore, the SLA technology is monopolized by a single company, which is not conducive to the development of the technology market.

 

Simple put, the SLA technology occupies a prominent position in the rapid prototyping technology and has impacts of two sides. Consequently, in order to have a better application of this technology, we have no alternative but to explore it continuously. That is all that counts.