Close up shot of an actively printing SLA 3D Print A hollow cube printed on an SLA 3D Printer

3D Printer (SLA)

An SLA 3D printer, or a stereolithography apparatus printer, utilizes light-sensitive resin to print 3D files. An ultra-violet laser shines through the resin while the print bed moves upwards, printing out files a layer at a time. This allows the printer to make incredibly detailed prints, with some printers and materials having up to 25 microns (.025mm!) in layer thickness. Training for SLA printing will include setting up prints and post-processing them, which is a process that includes a wash in isopropyl alcohol and curing in an ultra-violet oven. When printing with SLA, plan for at least another hour to accomodate for post-processing.

Models at EXP

Formlabs 3L (x2): has a build volume of 33.5 × 20.0 × 30 cm.

Safety Considerations

  • Always use nitrile gloves: Uncured resins are toxic to your body and can be absorbed through the skin.
  • Never operate a putty knife towards your hand or body: It’s easy to slip and cut yourself.