What are the size and shape considerations?
The major design limitations are usually that the part cannot be larger than a 10 in. cube, which is dependant on the SLA machine used. However, pretty much any shape you can make in CAD, you can make with stereolithography. One problem is very thin walls will warp while curing the final part, so they should be avoided in the design of an SLA part. For more complicated structures, bracing might be needed to ensure the stability of the part. Another consideration is that the photopolymer used can be very brittle, which may affect the final product, as it may chip or crack easily.
SLA is good for objects of complex geometry, as it can generate any shape that fits within its work volume. The most compatible shapes are:
- Free Form Drape
- Free Form General
- Planar
- Prismatic
- Surface of Revolution
- Thin Wall
- Constant Cross Section