Stereolithography 3D Printing: Know The Basics

You can produce three-dimensional solid objects or parts from digital files using a wide range of 3D printers. Each 3D printer is driven by a specific 3D printing technology. According to Statista, the top three most used 3D printing technologies are fused deposition modeling (FDM), Selective laser sintering (SLS), or stereolithography (SLA). You must understand the important aspects of stereolithography 3D printing to choose the right 3D printing technologies.

What is Stereolithography 3D Printing?

Despite being one of the most widely used 3D printing technologies, stereolithography is one of the oldest additive manufacturing technologies which was created and patented in 1986. Initially, stereolithography was developed as a technology to promote rapid prototyping. The engineers were using stereolithography to create prototypes rapidly by converting liquid plastic into solid objects.

According to Wikipedia, “Stereolithography (SLA or SL) is a form of 3D printing technology used for creating models, prototypes, patterns, and production parts in a layer by layer fashion using photochemical processes by which light causes chemical monomers and oligomers to cross-link together to form polymers. Those polymers then make up the body of a three-dimensional solid.”

SLA 3D printers are designed with a light source, a resin tank, and a build platform. The light source produced 3D models from digital files by curing or solidifying polymer resin deposited layer by layer. Once the printing process is completed, the 3D model is removed from the build platform for post-processing. Hence, the models or objects produced using SLA 3D printing technology have smooth surfaces with optimal accuracy and precision.

What are the Major Advantages of Stereolithography 3D Printing?

Accuracy and Precision

Stereolithography scores over other 3D printing technologies in the category of precision and accuracy. It creates 3D models by depositing and curing resin in layers ranging from 0.5 mm to 0.10 mm. Also, the resin filament is cured using fine laser beams. That is why; engineers opt for this 3D printing technology when they have to produce models with complex geometries and realistic finishes.

High-Quality Prototypes

Often engineers have to alter or modify prototypes to meet design ideas precisely. They look for 3D printing technologies that enable them to produce high-quality prototypes with complex geometric shapes and detailed features. The popularity of SLA 3D printing remains intact due to its effectiveness in producing high-quality prototypes.

Single-Stage Production

SLA 3D printers produce models and parts by depositing resin filament layer by layer. But this category of 3D printers produces items through a single-stage production process. Hence, the engineers can get 3D-printed objects with smoother surfaces without additional finishing and post-processing.

Low Material Consumption

Unlike other 3D printing technologies, stereolithography uses various forms of liquid resin. The SLA 3D printers produce models and parts by solidifying the liquid resin through photochemical processes. The photochemical process helps engineers to reduce material consumption. Also, they can curtail overall material costs by eliminating the need to create a mold.

Varying Build Volumes

Engineers can use stereolithography 3D printing technology to produce a variety of models, prototypes, and objects using different types of filaments. Also, SLA 3D printing technology supports build volume to the extent of 50 x 50 x 60 cm³ without sacrificing quality and precision. That is why; the oldest 3D printing technology is still used widely by engineers to create a variety of flexible and rigid objects. Also, engineers can easily customize the 3D model by choosing or changing colors.

What are the important Disadvantages of Stereolithography 3D Printing?

Fragile Prototypes

SLA 3D printers allow engineers to produce prototypes physically using a variety of resins. But resin cannot be used to produce solid objects that are strong and durable. The engineers often produce prototypes that are much more fragile than the final parts. Also, the prototypes produced using stereolithography cannot endure heat and withstand mechanical testing.

Support Structure

As mentioned earlier, SLA 3D printers need support structures to support the solid three-dimensional models. The support structure restricts engineers from experimenting with new design ideas. Also, the engineers need to perform post-processing to deliver high-quality prototypes. They often sand and polish the resin filament to boost the quality of prototypes.

Additional Printing Time

Stereolithography requires additional time than other 3D printing technologies to produce a prototype or model. Hence, manufacturers can use SLA 3D printers to produce only three copies of a model or prototype. They cannot leverage this technology for the mass production of models.

Higher Material Cost

The stereolithography 3D printers are much smaller in size than FDM 3D printers. Hence, manufacturers cannot use SLA 3D printing technology to produce larger models and parts. Also, the resin is one of the more expensive 3D printing materials. Manufacturers have to incur a higher cost to produce prototypes using various types of SLA materials.

When Should You Opt for Stereolithography 3D Printing Technology?

Stereolithography 3D printing was initially developed as a rapid prototyping technology. Engineers and manufacturers still opt for SLA 3D printing to create and alter prototypes rapidly. The mature 3D printing technology is also used widely by enterprises to produce models or parts with a higher level of accuracy, precision, and details. Most of the SLA 3D printers are developed with features to meet the varying requirements of industrial and enterprise users.

But several startups have launched consumer SLA 3D printers. The consumer 3D printers enable users to produce a variety of accessories and home decors at home. Enthusiasts these days have the option to buy desktop machines that produces a variety of objects and items using stereolithography 3D printing technology. That is why; you can easily produce a wide variety of three-dimensional items using the appropriate SLA 3D printer. You also have the option to choose from a variety of SLA materials – standard resin, engineering resin, castable resin, and medical resin.

Stereolithography 3D printing is currently one of the widely used 3D printing technologies. But SLA 3D printing, like other 3D printing technologies, has its own pros and cons. You must keep in mind its pros and cons while comparing stereolithography 3D printing with other widely used 3D printing technologies.

Keywords: stereolithography 3D printing, SLA 3D printing

References

https://www.statista.com/statistics/560304/worldwide-survey-3d-printing-top-technologies/

https://www.makerbot.com/stories/design/types-of-3d-printing-technologies/

https://www.protolabs.co.uk/services/3d-printing/stereolithography/

https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/sla-3d-printing-materials-compared/

https://www.livescience.com/38190-stereolithography.html

https://all3dp.com/2/stereolithography-3d-printing-simply-explained/

https://formlabs.com/asia/blog/ultimate-guide-to-stereolithography-sla-3d-printing/

http://www.magforms.com/article-100.html

https://www.3d-stereolithography.com/advantages-and-disadvantages/

https://prototechasia.com/en/stereolithography/advantages

Benefits of 3D Printers for School Education

The applications and use cases of 3D printing technologies vary across industries. Enterprises from various industries these days use different 3D printing technologies - fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), and stereolithography (SLA) – to facilitate rapid prototyping and producing fully functional parts. At the same time, the number of educational institutions investing in various 3D printers has been increasing consistently. Also, many companies have been designing and customizing 3D printers for various educational institutions.

According to a market forecast and analysis report released by Technavio, “The 3D printing market size in the education sector has the potential to grow by USD 687.56 million during 2021-2025, and the market’s growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period.”

The industry forecast report depicts the huge benefits of 3D printers for schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions. Many schools already leverage 3D printing technologies to modernize and transform their learning environments. Also, teachers and educators have been creating new use cases 3D printers for education consistently by making students acquiring skills for the future. If your school is yet to purchase a 3D printer, it is time for you to understand some of the important benefits of 3D printers for schools.

Understanding 9 Important Benefits of 3D printers for Schools

1. Set up Visual Learning Environments

Many educational institutions already leverage 3D printing technologies to transform and modernize conventional learning environments. They provide teachers and students with access to 3D printers to set up a visual learning environment. In the visual learning environment, students do not acquire knowledge simply only by listening to teachers or reading books. In addition to interacting with teachers, they can visualize the concepts and ideas by producing three-dimensional objects in the classroom environment. The visual learning environment will help schools to keep the curriculum relevant in the longer run.

2. Implement STEAM Education

Many schools these days provide future-proof learning by implementing the STEAM education approach. Unlike conventional learning approaches, STEAM emphasizes integrating areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Many schools already use 3D printing as a classroom technology to implement STEAM education. They allow students to become creators and designers using knowledge and unleashing creativity simultaneously. Also, access to 3D printers enables students to shape their ideas and imaginations physically.

3. Foster Innovation and Invention

Several studies recommend schools to encourage students to become creators and innovators. In addition to focusing on making students acquire and retain knowledge, schools these days focus extensively on fostering creativity and innovation. 3D printers help schools to create opportunities for students to create objects and solutions using their creativity and imagination. Educators can encourage and motivate students to become creators and inventors by providing access to 3D printers for school.

4. Boost Student Engagement

Educators these days explore ways to keep students engaged and interested in both conventional and virtual classrooms. 3D printing technologies make it easier for teachers to make the learning experience both different and exciting. Teachers can 3D-print objects to make students understand complex concepts and theories clearly and differently. The change in approach helps schools to convert reluctant learners into active learners.

5. Deliver Hands-on Learning

In the age of digital communications, schools have to emphasize delivering hands-on learning. The 3D printers for schools help teachers to create opportunities for students to acquire knowledge through action and experience. In addition to explaining concepts, they can make students observe and inspect the concepts in solid three-dimensional form.

6. Prepare Students to Solve Real-World Problems

Many people these days use 3D printers to produce home decors, household accessories, and functional repair items. Also, 3D printing technologies encourage many people to solve simple real-world problems by producing various items and objects. In addition to delivering hands-on training, schools can prepare and encourage students to solve a variety of real-world problems by providing access to 3D printers. There are many instances when school children solved in their communities using 3D printers.

7. Facilitate Collaboration and Camaraderie

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a multistep process. An individual student cannot produce a variety of objects or items without collaborating and networking with others. Hence, schools can use 3D printing technologies as classroom technology to make students acquire important and useful soft skills like communication, collaboration, cooperation, and team spirit. Many students these days become part of online communities to learn how to use 3D printers more effectively and how to choose the right 3D printing material.

8. Foster Critical Thinking and Design Thinking

Every school can prepare students to become entrepreneurs and innovators by focusing on the development of critical thinking and design thinking. Access to 3D printers helps students to visualize their ideas and unleash their creativity. The teachers can make students think critically and hone problem-solving skills by assigning projects. Also, they can motivate students to solve a variety of real-time problems by thinking like designers and innovators. Many teachers these days create new use cases to make 3D printing technologies complement and extend the preset curriculum perfectly.

9. Encourage Students to Pursue STEM Degrees

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, “About half of adults (52%) say the main reason young people don’t pursue STEM degrees is they think these subjects are too hard.”  As mentioned earlier, 3D printers help schools to make STEM education easier for students by integrating conventional and hands-on learning. The students can use 3D printers to understand complex concepts and theories. The hands-on learning will help and motivate students to pursue STEM degrees in the future.

Aurum3D helps schools to leverage 3D printing technologies in two distinct ways – launching affordable 3D printers and providing 3D printing services. The 3D printing services help educational institutions to produce three-dimensional items from digital models without investing in a 3D printer. At the same time, the 3D printer launched by Aurum3D helps schools to convert 3D printing technology into one of the commonly used classroom technologies.

Keywords: Benefits of 3D printers, 3D printers for school, 3D printers for education

References

https://www.makersempire.com/7-benefits-of-using-3d-printing-technology-in-education/

https://digilab.dremel.com/blog/five-benefits-using-3d-printers-education

https://www.makerbot.com/stories/3d-printing-education/5-benefits-of-3d-printing/

https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/technology/e-learning/4-benefits-of-3d-printing-for-schools/245670

https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2019/06/resurgence-3d-printers-modern-learning-environments-perfcon