This 3D Printing technique is awesome: Stereolithography.
Whenever we think of 3D printing, the first impression that comes to our mind is large machines ejecting hot material from their nozzle and slowly printing the object layer by layer. But apart from big machines, there is a really cool way to 3D print objects. This new technique is called Stereolithography. Let's dig into this topic!
What is Stereolithography?
Stereolithography technique involves the use of resins. This technique involves the use of thermosetting resin. Thermosetting resins have the property to solidify on exposure to light of appropriate wavelength. The wavelength of light varies based on the resin. Now, the way this printer works is very interesting. They take a bath of resin, and it is exposed to the light of the required wavelength using lasers. These lasers then move according to the slices that the software has generated for the object. If you want to know more about the slicing process, check out my article here. As the laser passes light into the liquid as per the sliced pattern, the resin polymerizes and solidifies. The pattern is pulled out from the top as soon as each layer is solidified. So, in this way, the whole object is printed.
Why is this technique so awesome?
- It is fast.
- This technique can be used to intricate patterns which are difficult to print using machines.
- Less energy consumption.
- This method can also be used to print nano-materials.
- Flexibility when it comes to the choice of material.
- Compact system compared to that of the conventional method.
- It can print highly detailed objects.
Stereolithography is really an example of how we can push the current technologies ahead. It takes great effort from experts in the field for all the research work. Let's hope this technology will get more powerful and make our life easy!!
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