Working in house Amtech can produce first class models from its SLA (Stereolithography) machines.
We use the very latest DSM Somos resins to produce models second to none for varying applications.
Amtech pride themselves on taking the utmost care in orientation and support placement to ensure the very best finish to our SLA models.
SLA models are tough, ideal for fit or to be painted for marketing or as masters for silicone tooling. All our SLA components have the support media removed and a light bead blast.
SLA parts can be made in 1 piece up to 500mm3 or almost any length if joined in section.
Stereolithography is an additive fabrication process utilizing a vat of liquid UV-curable photopolymer "resin" and a UV laser to build parts a layer at a time. On each layer, the laser beam traces a part cross-section pattern on the surface of the liquid resin. Exposure to the UV laser light cures, or, solidifies the pattern traced on the resin and adheres it to the layer below.
After a pattern has been traced, the SLA's elevator platform descends by a single layer thickness, 0.1mm. Then, a resin-filled blade sweeps across the part cross section, re-coating it with fresh material. On this new liquid surface the subsequent layer pattern is traced, adhering to the previous layer. A complete 3D part is formed by this process. After building, parts are cleaned of excess resin by immersion in a chemical bath and then cured in a UV oven.
Stereolithography requires the use of support structures to attach the part to the elevator platform and to prevent certain geometry from not only deflecting due to gravity, but to also accurately hold the 2-D cross sections in place such that they resist lateral pressure from the re-coater blade. Supports are generated automatically during the preparation of 3-D CAD models for use on the stereolithography machine, although they may be manipulated manually. Supports will be removed from the finished product manually then the model is given a light bead blast.
