Rapid Prototyping Processes
3D Printing - 3DP	Direct Shell Production Casting - DSPC	Electron Beam Melting - EBM	Fused-Deposition Modeling - FDM
Laminated Object Manufacturing - LOM	Laser Engineered Net Shaping - LENS	Multi-Jet Modeling - MJM	Polyjet Technology
Selective Laser Sintering SLS	Solid-Ground Curing - SGC	Stereolithography SLA or SL

Stereolithography (SLA) Rapid Prototyping Process

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SLA Model of a Canon Camera

Stereolithography (SLA) is a rapid prototyping process utilizing a 3D CAD model to produce a physical object which may be used as a conceptual model or a master pattern.

Stereolithography can be described as a process capable of producing copies of solid or surface models in plastic materials. The process uses a computer controlled ultraviolet Helium-Cadmium or Argon laser to trace cross-sections of the model onto the surface of a vat of a photocurable polymer, hardening the material. The hardened layer is lowered leaving a new layer of the liquid polymer over the cured material equal in thickness to the slice of the CAD model and the laser traces the next cross-section. This unattended process continues repeatedly until the part is complete.

The SLA are accurate with tolerances within .004" and speedy with delivery times of 2 to 3 days on average.

Main uses for Stereolithography models include--