China Rapid Prototyping: SLA or SLS, How to Choose?
3D printing is a revolutionary technology. This method directly uses the product’s three-dimensional computer data to achieve a prototype of the product based on the principle of layer-by-layer stacking of discrete layers. SLA and SLS are two mature laser China Rapid Prototyping technologies, and the material used in SLA is mainly photosensitive resin. At TEAM Rapid, we offer SLA and SLS prototype in a variety of plastic materials.
Understanding More about SLA vs. SLS
The stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) are different 3D printing technologies used today in various manufacturing and rapid prototyping production. SLA uses ultraviolet light to produce prototypes out of the raw resin materials. Meanwhile, SLS uses a laser in its prototyping process. Both are computerized processes that you can configure according to your project requirements.
There are various differences between SLA and SLS 3D printing methods, which will produce different results. We will delve deeper and understand more about the different aspects between SLA and SLS. These different aspects will help you determine which method is the best to use as your prototyping or rapid manufacturing solution.
1. SLA vs. SLS: Material Selection
SLA and SLS 3D printing methods have their differences in terms of the material selection you can use to perform each prototyping technique. The SLA method requires a specific type of material to use, which is photosensitive resin. You can only use a limited range of alternative material types for this method.
Meanwhile, the SLS method offers a wider selection of materials to use in your prototyping process. With SLS, it’s very easy for you to use some alternative plastic materials when the primary material is not available for you.
2. Quality of the Surface Finish
Both SLA and SLS 3D printing methods also offer different qualities of surface finish in your prototyping process. SLA will usually come with a higher surface finish, making it often unnecessary to apply any post-processing effect. With SLA, you can come up with the best-looking finish and a smoother surface.
Meanwhile, with SLS, you will see a rougher surface finish for the prototypes you are producing. This often calls for some additional processes to smoothen out the prototype surface to make sure that they look the best. The rougher surfaces will become more apparent when you use lower-quality plastics for your prototype building.
3. SLA vs. SLS: Prototyping Precision
In terms of the prototyping precision, SLA offers a better method to ensure that you can get the most precise and accurate result for your prototypes. You can create very thin walls with the SLA prototyping method, with the precise tolerance below the 0.1mm range.
For the SLS method, the precision will be lower than the SLA method. However, it doesn’t mean that the accuracy is bad at all. SLS only supports around a normal range of tolerances, meaning that you can’t be too precise with your prototypes when you use this method.
4. Prototyping for Thin-Walled Products
Because of the high precision offered by the SLA 3D printing method, you can use this method to make prototypes of thin-walled products. Creating prototypes with thin walls is often challenging. The good news is that SLA can provide a solution for you in this case, as it has the capability to produce thin-walled products with a good results. Meanwhile, SLS doesn't output high-precision prototypes. Thus, prototyping for thin-walled products is not recommended with SLS.
5. The Length of Prototyping Production
Both the SLA and SLS 3D printing methods offer fast production time for your prototypes. However, when you calculate the details of the production length, the SLS will offer you the fastest prototyping process. SLS uses a simpler prototyping process that cuts down various unnecessary steps, making it faster for you to complete the prototyping job. It also works with a wide range of materials, which will add more convenience to this whole process.
The SLA method, on the other hand, can also provide you with a fast production process. However, due to various limitations it has, you might not get the fastest production time for your prototypes when you go with this method.
6. SLA vs. SLS: Product Durability
For the product durability of prototypes produced with SLA and SLS methods, there will also be some differences. SLA offers you the capability to create thin-walled products or prototypes. However, with this capability, you will get a less durable result for your prototyping production. You might also risk your prototypes getting damaged during the assembly or disassembly process.
Meanwhile, the SLS 3D printing method offers more durability for the products or prototypes you create with it. This is a preferable 3D printing and prototyping technique to produce a more durable prototype that you can use for a long time.
7. Tolerances
The SLA method offers tighter tolerances for your prototypes, so you can create more precise and accurate prototypes with this method. The tight tolerances will go as low as 0.1mm for the SLA method. It allows you to create thin-walled prototypes and maximize the design intricacies in it.
Meanwhile, the SLS method doesn’t offer tight tolerances and only focuses on the standard tolerances. For this reason, the SLS method is not good for creating prototypes or products with very precise and accurate design requirements.
SLA or SLS, How to Choose?
The advantages of SLA 3D Printing
- High-precision prototyping with a tolerance within 0.1mm.
- Smooth surface leads to less post polishing.
- Can print product with thin-walled structures.
- A short processing cycle usually only takes around 3 days for completion.
The Defects of SLA 3D Printing
- Limited alternative materials as it requires the use of photosensitive resin.
- The processing material is relatively weak and cannot bear times of disassembling and screwing.
The Advantages of SLS 3D Printing
- Multiple materials can be used with a high rate of utilization and wide application scope.
- A short production cycle usually only takes around 3 days for completion.
The Defects of SLS 3D Printing
- Surface finish quality is relatively poor compared to SLA 3D Printing.
- The precision is lower than SLA in the production of small or high-precise product
TEAM Rapid offers SLA and SLS 3D Printing Services at Low Cost
We are one of the best China Rapid Prototyping and low volume manufacturing company, we know what you need and can help you to cut down product development cost. Contact us at [email protected] and see our capabilities.
Contact