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Resin 3D printing has become an affordable and popular way to create small batch high quality parts. In fact, the quality of parts produced by resin 3d printers typically exceeds that of typical consumer level desktop FDM or filament style printers. There are 3 main techniques utilized by resin 3d printers.
These 3 main techniques are SLA (Stereolithography), DLP (Direct Light Processing) and MSLA (Masked Stereolithography).
Typically, each technique uses a vat of resin with a clear film at the bottom. This clear film called FEP allows for UV light to come into direct contact with the resin and cure a thin layer which builds up over time in order to create a 3d part. Glass is placed below the vat to provide support otherwise the thin FEP sheet may flex and create an uneven layer of resin underneath the build plate. The main difference between each method is the technique in which UV light is produced and directed toward the vat of resin. The science behind each technique is briefly described below.
SLA or Laser - uses the combination of a high powered UV laser and mirrors to selectively cure resin as shown below in the first column.
DLP - uses a UV projector with a secondary lens to project a full layer image onto the bottom of the resin vat as shown in the second image.
MSLA - or Masked Stereolithography uses an LCD to shine an entire layer of UV light at once. Like DLP, this cures a full layer at the same time and is generally faster than SLA printing for that reason. Shown in the 3rd image. Thunder Bay Design utilizes this method in all of our printed miniatures.
The resolution or layer height is determined by the distance from the bottom of the build plate to the top of the FEP film. Typical resolutions range from 0.05 mm to 0.01mm. The layer height also determines the time it takes to print a part. Smaller layer heights require more time because more layers are required to reach the same height.
Below is a gif demonstrating the difference between how resin and FDM printers build parts.
The UV light is shown in blue. Notice how the FEP film flexes. This allows each layer to overcome the suction force between the build plate and FEP. If the bottom of the vat was a rigid material like glass, the build plate may not be able to overcome the suction force.
Thank you for reading,
If you have any questions please contact us through our website.
Thunder Bay Design uses high quality resin 3d printers for all their miniature printing needs. Links to the printers we use are below.
Want your own 3d printed artistic miniature to showcase the precision of resin 3d printers? Get yours below!
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