Resin 3D printing technology has come a long way in recent years, and there are now several different types of resin 3D printers available on the market. In this blog post, we will explore the three main types of resin 3D printing technology: SLA (stereolithography), DLP (digital light processing), and LCD (liquid crystal display). We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you decide which type of resin 3D printer is best for your needs.
SLA (Stereolithography)
SLA is one of the oldest types of 3D printing technology, and it uses a laser beam to cure liquid resin into solid parts. The laser beam is directed by a mirror system, which is controlled by a computer. The laser beam is focused on a specific point in the resin, and the heat from the laser causes the resin to solidify. This process is repeated layer by layer until the entire part is built.
Advantages
High resolution: SLA 3D printers can produce parts with very high resolution, making them suitable for detailed and intricate designs. The laser beam used in SLA 3D printers can focus on a specific point in the resin with great precision, allowing for a high level of detail in the final parts.
Material options: SLA 3D printers can use a wide range of materials, including those with high temperature resistance and mechanical strength. This means that SLA 3D printers can be used for a wide variety of applications, from prototyping to end-use parts.
Surface finish: SLA parts have smooth surfaces and are ready for post-processing. This makes them suitable for applications where a smooth surface finish is important, such as in the creation of molds, or parts that will be painted or coated.
High accuracy: SLA 3D printers are capable of printing parts with very high accuracy, which is important for applications such as precision machinery, medical devices, and aerospace parts.
Disadvantages
High cost: SLA 3D printers can be expensive, and the cost of the resin can also be high. This can make it difficult for individuals or small businesses to afford a SLA 3D printer, and may limit its use to larger companies or research institutions.
Slow print speed: SLA 3D printers are slower than other types of 3D printers, and large parts can take a long time to print. This can make it difficult to use SLA 3D printers for high-volume production or for large parts that require a quick turnaround time.
DLP (Digital Light Processing)
DLP 3D printing technology is similar to SLA in that it also uses liquid resin, but instead of a laser, DLP 3D printers use a digital projector to cure the resin. The projector uses millions of tiny mirrors to reflect light onto the resin tank, where the part is being built. Each mirror represents a single pixel of the image, and the mirrors move rapidly to create the image of the entire layer. The projector projects the entire layer of the part at once, which is then cured by a UV light.
Advantages
High speed: DLP 3D printers can print parts much faster than SLA 3D printers. This is because DLP 3D printers project the entire layer of the part at once, and cure it with a UV light. This allows for faster printing times, making DLP 3D printers more suitable for large parts or high volume production. On average, DLP printers are also faster than LCD printers.
Low cost: DLP 3D printers are generally less expensive than SLA 3D printers. This is because DLP 3D printers use a digital projector instead of a laser, which is typically less expensive than the laser systems used in SLA 3D printers. DLP printers are typically more expensive than LCD printers.
High resolution: DLP 3D printers can produce parts with high resolution, similar to SLA 3D printers. The resolution of a DLP 3D printer is determined by the number of pixels in the projector. The accuracy of DLP printers on small models is typically better than LCD printers.
Disadvantages
Limited material options: DLP 3D printers are typically limited to using a specific type of resin, which may not be suitable for all applications. The resin used in DLP 3D printers is typically a photopolymer resin, which is cured by UV light. This means that DLP 3D printers cannot use other types of materials, such as epoxy resign, acrylic resin, or silicone resin.
Surface finish: DLP parts may require post-processing to achieve a smooth surface finish. The surface of the parts printed with DLP technology may have a slight texture, and post-processing such as sanding, polishing or painting is needed to achieve a smooth surface.
Limited resolution: While the resolution of DLP 3D printers can be high, it's still limited by the number of pixels in the projector. The resolution of the parts printed by DLP 3D printer can be affected by factors such as the size of the projector, the quality of the lens and the resolution of the projector.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
LCD 3D printing technology is similar to DLP in that it uses a UV light to cure liquid resin, but instead of a digital projector, an LCD screen is used to project the image of the layer. The screen is divided into millions of small pixels, each of which can be turned on or off individually. The pixels are used to create the image of the layer, which is then projected onto the resin tank where the part is being built.
Advantages
High speed: LCD 3D printers can print parts at a faster speed than SLA 3D printers. This is because LCD 3D printers use an LCD screen to project the image of the layer, which allows for faster printing times. This makes LCD 3D printers more suitable for large parts or high volume production. They are, however, usually slower than DLP printers.
Low cost: LCD 3D printers are generally less expensive than SLA 3D printers. This is because LCD 3D printers use an LCD screen instead of a laser, which is typically less expensive than the laser systems used in SLA 3D printers. They also usually cost less than DLP printers.
High resolution: LCD 3D printers can produce parts with high resolution, similar to SLA and DLP 3D printers. The resolution of an LCD 3D printer is determined by the number of pixels in the screen. The accuracy of LCD printers on large models is typically better than DLP printers.
Disadvantages
Limited material options: LCD 3D printers are typically limited to using a specific type of resin, which may not be suitable for all applications. The resin used in LCD 3D printers is typically a photopolymer resin, which is cured by UV light. This means that LCD 3D printers cannot use other types of materials, such as epoxy resign, acrylic resin, or silicone resin.
Surface finish: LCD parts may require post-processing to achieve a smooth surface finish.
conclusion
All three types of resin 3D printing technology have their own advantages and disadvantages. SLA 3D printing technology is best for detailed and intricate designs, but it is also the most expensive and slowest option. DLP 3D printing technology is faster and more cost-effective than SLA, but may require post-processing for a smooth surface finish. LCD 3D printing technology is similar to DLP in terms of speed and cost-effectiveness, but it also may require post-processing.
Ultimately, the choice of which type of resin 3D printer to use will depend on your specific needs and budget. It is important to consider the resolution, speed, cost, and material options of each type of printer before making a decision. It's also important to note that the technology is always evolving and there are new advancements, so it's also important to keep an eye on the market for new options that may be more suitable for your needs.
Contact us and let us know if this helped!
At Nexus3, we partner with businesses to bring their innovations to life. If you have an engineering challenge that needs solving or if you need parts fabricated using AM technology, contact us. We will help you solve your toughest problems.
- Nexus3 is your innovation partner. Let us help you realize what is possible.