SLA also known as Stereolithography, provides the greatest accuracy with an excellent surface finish. Process works by curing liquid photopolymers when exposed to ultraviolet light. SLA is limited in its range of applicable materials but is still widely used for conceptual designs, Product verification, Pattern making, Form/Fit analysis and light functional testing.
Stereolithography process produces plastic parts directly from 3D CAD model, by solidifying the surface of a liquid photo polymer layer by layer with the help of a laser beam. When the laser beam hits the liquid, it solidifies the resin. When a layer is fully traced, the elevator is then lowered in the vat. The self-adhesive property of the material causes the layer to stick with each other and in this way a 3D part is formed in multi-layers.