Choosing the Right SLA Resins for Your Applications

There are many types of SLA resins for 3D printingand each has its unique mechanical properties. Users should choose the right types of resin based on their intended applications, as well as evaluating the cost effectiveness of each. Below are some of the most common SLA resins and applications for desktop SLA 3D printers.

Model/Prototype

Resins for 3D print smooth, high resolution, precision prototype models. These SLA resins have strong material performance and good strength for designers and engineers to bring their ideas to life and to perfect their designs and concept. These resins are most frequently used and are generally referred to as Standard Resins or General Resins. These resins come in different colors and can be painted over or treated with other finishings. ApplyLabWork’s Design Concept Series, Modeling Resins are ideal fit for these purposes.

Functional Prototype

Resins in this group posses specific mechanical properties, such as flexibility, high tensile strength, impact resistance…etc, that can mimic the look and feel of the end products as well as withstand extensive testings. These resins allow users to not only see their designs in 3D form but also to perform the intended functions of their designs. ApplyLabWork’s Modeling Plus Resin and Prototype Engineering Series, Flex Resin fall into this group.

Dental Applications

In the past few years, 3D printing has gained much greater acceptance in the mainstream dental industry. Dental labs, as well as dental offices, are using 3D printing technology to print dental models, dental aligners, splints, surgical guides…etc. These resins are highly precise and accurate and some are biocompatible. Formlabs, MoonRay and EnvisionTec printers are gaining popularity in the dental industry. ApplyLabWork’s Modeling Resins are ideal for printing dental models.

Jewelry Making

3D printing allows jewelry making industry to be much more efficient by going directly from digital designs to 3D print for direct investment casting, eliminating the need for crafting wax pattern, which is labor intensive and time consuming. Resin for this application not only needs to be highly precise and smooth at printing small parts but also has to be burned out completely, without ash and residue. This type of resin is commonly known as Castable Resin.

In summary, selecting the correct SLA resins for your SLA printer is knowing your printer’s UV light source. A laser-based printer should select resins made for laser SLA printers. DLP projector printers and LCD printers can use resins that are made for either of these printer types. Hope in the near future, as light power components continue to improve, resins’ interoperability will also increase, given that the printer settings are open. We believe a successful printer should not only be easy to use, but must have the widest range of available materials to choose from and with multiple sources.