Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Service
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High-Resolution, Accurate Parts without Tooling
Stereolithography (SLA) is a powerful 3D printing technology that produces extremely accurate and high-resolution parts that are capable of being used directly in end-use, low-volume production or for rapid prototyping. Xometry offers over 15 uniquely engineered SLA materials that can enable products to be brought to the market.
Stereolithography Materials
| Material Name | Description | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) | Elongation at Break (%) | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) | Data Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Material Name Accura 25 | Description White, PP-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 58 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 20% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 63 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Accura ClearVue | Description Clear/Translucent, PC-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 67 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 7% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 46 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos WaterShed XC 11122 | Description Clear/Translucent, ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 69 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 15% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 50 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos EvoLVe 128 | Description White, ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 70 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 11% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 52 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Accura Xtreme Grey | Description Grey, ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 71 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 22% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 62 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos NeXt | Description White, PP-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 71 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 10% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 57 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos ProtoGen 18420 | Description White, ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 71 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 16% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 47 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos Taurus | Description Dark Gray, ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 74 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 24% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 62 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Accura ABS Black (SL 7820) | Description Black (painted), ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 78 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 13% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 51 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Accura Xtreme White 200 | Description White, ABS-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 79 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 20% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 47 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos WaterClear Ultra 10122 | Description Clear/Translucent, PC-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 84 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 7% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 47 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Accura 60 | Description Clear/Translucent, PC-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 101 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 13% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 55 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos ProtoTherm 12120* | Description Translucent Red, PC-like | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 109 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 4% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 126 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Somos PerFORM* | Description White, Ceramic-filled | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 146 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 1% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 268 °C | Data Sheets |
Material Name Accura Bluestone* | Description Blue, Ceramic-filled | Flexural Strength (MPa/KSI) 154 MPa/KSI | Elongation at Break (%) 2% | HDT@0.46 MPa (°C) 284 °C | Data Sheets |
*Requires post-thermal curing to achieve HDT.
Available Finishes for SLA Printed Parts
Supported surfaces will be lightly sanded with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper, then media blasted for a uniform matte finish.
Supported surfaces will be lightly sanded with 220 or 320 grit sandpaper for improved surface quality. Sanding scratches will be visible on supported surfaces.
Supported areas may show small grid-like dots or surface blemishes as a result of support removal.
Available for Accura ClearVue. Only supported surfaces are sanded. Parts will still have visible layering. High gloss clear coat is applied to enhance natural clarity.
Xometry provides additional SLA finishing options, including but not limited to sanding, polishing, painting, post thermal processing, and plating to meet your needs.
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Applications of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing
Concept Models
The speed, accuracy, and great surface finish of SLA parts lets product developers create physical snapshots of their designs through the iterative process.
Rapid Prototyping
SLA prototyping is a fully-functional prototype, with materials that can simulate polypropylene, polycarbonate, ABS, and rigid composites.
Direct Digital Manufacturing
The high accuracy and consistency of SLA makes it an ideal way to build large quantities of discrete or customized parts.
Benefits of SLA 3D Printing
SLA is a go-to choice for 3D printed models that require accurate features and a smooth surface finish. Xometry's stereolithography 3D printing service offers both standard and high-resolution options for fine detail parts, and can also print larger sized parts and products, offering up to a 29" inch build area. With the ability to produce complex features with good mechanical properties, an SLA 3D print is often used for final fit checks before moving to injection molding services.
In addition, Xometry's manufacturing partner network allows us to offer a larger variety of materials than other 3D printing companies - we offer a wide range of both Accura and Somos brand materials.
- Outstanding surface finish and post processing options
- Tight tolerances and high detail precision
- Complex shapes with a high degree of precision
- High selection of engineered materials
SLA General Tolerances
| Description | Standard Resolution | High Resolution |
|---|---|---|
Description Build envelope | Standard Resolution 29” x 25” x 21” | High Resolution 10” x 10” x 10” |
Description Layer height | Standard Resolution 0.004" | High Resolution 0.002" |
Description Tolerance, XY Plane | Standard Resolution +/- 0.005” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. | High Resolution +/- 0.005” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. |
Description Tolerance, Z Plane | Standard Resolution +/- 0.010” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. | High Resolution +/- 0.010” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. |
Description Minimum linear feature size | Standard Resolution Under 0.030” are at risk and under 0.020” will not build. | High Resolution Under 0.020” are at risk and under 0.010” will not build. |
Description Minimum radial feature size | Standard Resolution 0.035" | High Resolution 0.030" |
The table below depicts the general tolerances for industrial-grade stereolithography (SLA) services. Stresses during the build, support strategy, and other geometry considerations may cause deviation in tolerances and flatness. Improved tolerances may be possible with a manual quote review, after successful completion of a prototype build, and must be approved on a case-by-case basis. General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified. Please check out Xometry's Manufacturing Standards for more information on tolerances per process.
Overview: What is Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing?
How Stereolithography Works
The stereolithography process is an additive manufacturing process that uses ultraviolet (UV) light on a vat of liquid photopolymer resin to selectively solidify part features, building the part layer by layer. The UV light continues this process through the entire vat of resin, selectively curing and solidifying the resin to match the design of the CAD file. Support structures are created during the pre-build setup process and manually removed after the print is completed. The parts are then washed in a solvent solution to remove uncured resin, and then receive a final post-cure in a UV light oven.
Xometry's SLA printing service offers higher resolution printing than many other 3D printing technologies, allowing customers to print parts with fine details and surface finishes. SLA 3D printing is a highly-versatile platform for making custom parts in prototype and production settings, often acting as a stand-in for injection molded parts.
Applications of Stereolithography
With a broad range of suitable materials and a rapid turnaround for even complex net-shapes, SLA technology is an ideal tool for a broad range of manufacturing sectors. It is primarily used in auto-engineering, as it enables the cost-effective generation of intricate parts with various surface finishes and fine detailing. Parts can be embossed or engraved, with matte, natural, and myriad other finishes available depending on the manufacturing requirements. While its primary success has been in rapid, functional prototyping and design assistance for the automotive sector, stereolithography is rapidly being adopted at scale in various mechanical modeling sectors.
Why Choose Xometry for 3D Printing?
Endless Options
Choose from millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.
Easy to Use
Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.
Vetted Network
We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.
