Hubs is now Protolabs Network. Find out more

Get instant quote

Industrial SLA/DLP vs. desktop SLA/DLP

SLA/DLP technology is used by both low-cost desktop 3D printers as well as high-end industrial 3D printers. This article will help you select the right type of machine for your application.

Industrial SLA/DLP vs. Desktop SLA/DLP

Introduction

Stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) printers make use of the oldest 3D printing technology - vat photopolymerisation. Both technologies use light to cure and harden specific areas of resin to form a solid part. SLA printers do this with a laser that travels over the cross sectional area of each layer of the part while DLP printers use a digital light projector screen to flash a single image of each layer all at once. There are a large range of SLA & DLP printers available, suitable for applications ranging from small enclosures to full scale car bumper prototypes.

This article will discuss the main differences between the typical desktop and industrial SLA/DLP 3D printers and offer guidance on selecting the right machine for an application.

Industrial SLA machines can have huge build volumes. In the image above a printer produces a large car body part in a single print.

Accuracy

Industrial SLA and DLP printers are capable of producing more accurate parts than desktop machines. Industrial machines typically produce parts in a controlled environment, use machine specific materials and are constructed from high cost components. While desktop SLA or DLP are able to produce parts with a tolerance of 150 - 300 microns (with this increasing significantly over larger parts), industrial machines are capable of tolerances as low as 30 microns for any build size.

To accurately produce parts both SLA and DLP desktop and industrial printers require support material. If accuracy of part is critical, optimising support location and geometry is very important. Advice on designing parts for SLA can be found here.

Selection tip: Industrial SLA or DLP printers are more accurate than desktop and maintain better accuracy over larger builds. All prints produced via SLA or DLP require support.

SLA and DLP printers are capable of producing intricate features at a high level of accuracy as illustrated by this watch casing.

Materials

One of the biggest advantages of industrial SLA/DLP over desktop machines is the range of materials that industrial printers are able to print with. While desktop printers may offer a flexible resin, industrial machines offer a large range of flexible resins each with varying mechanical properties (Shore Hardness, high temperature etc.). SLA and desktop machines offer the most extensive range of materials out of all of the 3D printing technologies.

Resin type Desktop Industrial
Castable VisiJet FTX Cast, VisiJet SL Jewel, Formlabs Castable Accura Amethyst, Accura CastPro, Accura Sapphire, DWS DC 700, DWS RF, EnvisionTEC EC500, EnvisionTEC EC500, EnvisionTEC PIC100, Somos Element
Clear VisiJet FTX Clear, VisiJet SL Clear, Formlabs Clear Accura 60, Accura ClearVue, Asiga PlasCLEAR, EnvisionTEC E-Glass 3SP, Somos 9120, Somos WaterClear, Somos Watershed
ABS/polypropylene-like VisiJet SL Tough, Carbon3D RPU 60, Formlabs Tough Accura Xtreme, Accura 55, Accura ABS, Accura PP, DWS AB, EnvisionTEC ABS, Somos 9420, Somos 14122, Somos EvoLVe, Somos NeXt
Dental VisiJet e-Stone, Formlabs Dental SG Accura e-Stone, Detona Pro3dure, DWS DS2000, DWS RF, DWS RD095
Flexible Carbon3D EPU 40, Formlabs Flexible EnvisionTEC ABS 3SP Flex, DWS GM08

Curious about the cost of SLA and the available material options?

Get instant quote See all SLA materials

One of the limitations of most industrial machines is that they produce parts using a top-down approach resulting in the need for large resin tanks (over 100L). This makes swapping between materials difficult and can increase lead time on parts. This also makes these machines more expensive to maintain.

All SLA and DLP resins are susceptible to UV degradation over time, however, coatings applied after printing can help to mitigate this.

Selection tip: For designs where appearance is more important than function desktop printers are generally adequate. If engineering properties like temperature resistance, castability, transparency etc. are required then industrial properties offer a greater range of solutions.

Products printed in a range of SLA resins

(courtesy of Formlabs)

Production capabilities and cost

One of the benefits of 3D printing is that the layer by layer method of production allows for multiple parts to be created in a single build. One of the advantages of SLA and DLP printers is that there is no loss of quality when producing multiple parts on a single build platform. The parts produced are generally homogeneous and do not experience any of the anisotropic issues that relate to other 3D printing technologies.

Compared to desktop printers, industrial machines are designed for repeatability and reliability. They can often produce the same part over and over again and do not need the high level of user interaction that desktop machines typically require.

Industrial SLA and DLP machines are also capable of printing models without visual build lines requiring almost no post-processing (other than support material removal), which, when compared to other 3D printing technologies can greatly reduce lead time. Desktop printers require a high level of user maintenance and more post-processing of the prints.

The ability to batch produce intricate, customized parts make industrial SLA and DLP a popular method of manufacturing small parts, low-run production.

Selection tip: The bigger build volumes offered by industrial printers has seem them adopted as a viable means of batch manufacturing in the dental, jewelry and hearing aids industries.

The batch manufacturing capabilities of SLA/DLP printers make it a popular choice for hearing aid, jewelry and dental components. This is further amplified by industrial machines larger build volumes allowing production run manufacturing.

SLA/DLP expectations

SLA and DLP produce parts with smooth surfaces and high level of detail. Prints are often brittle making SLA and DLP best suited for non-functional parts or visual models. The requirement for support means that post-processing is always required. Industrial SLA/DLP machines are capable of printing finer supports with greater overhangs resulting in less post processing and better surface finishes.

Summary table

The table below gives a comparison of typical desktop SLA/DLP printers and typical industrial SLA/DLP machines.

Property Desktop DLP Desktop SLA Industrial DLP Industrial SLA
Standard accuracy 30 - 140 microns 240 microns 10 - 100 microns 30 - 140 microns
Typical layer thickness 5 - 150 microns 25 - 200 microns 25 - 150 microns 50 -100 microns
Minimum wall thickness 0.1 mm 0.5 mm 0.1 mm 0.1 - 0.3 mm
Minimum feature size 10 - 200 microns 300 microns 10 - 100 microns 75 microns
Surface finish ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Maximum build envelope Small (e.g. 58 x 32 x 127 mm) Medium (e.g. 145 x 145 x 175 mm) Small - Large (e.g. 48 x 28 x 100 - 192 x 120 x 230 mm) Extra large (e.g. 2100 x 700 x 800 mm)
Common resins Clear, castable, dental Clear, castable, dental, flexible, tough Clear, castable, dental, flexible, wax-like, ABS-like Clear, castable, dental, flexible, wax-like, ABS-like
Production capabilities (per machine) Low Low Medium High
Machine cost $2,500 - $5,000 $2,000 - $15,000 $15,000 - $85,000 $100,000 - $500,000

Curious about the cost of SLA and the available materials options?

Get instant quote See all SLA materials

Rules of thumb

  • For small, accurate, visual prototypes that require smooth surfaces desktop SLA and DLP printers offer a fast, low cost solution.
  • For large parts that also require mechanical properties or a higher level of accuracy, industrial SLA and DLP machines are the best solution.
  • When the design has a lot of overhanging features or very fine details are not needed, SLS 3D printing should be considered.

More resources for engineers

ABS 3D printed part

When to use 3D printing vs when to use injection molding

Read article

3D printing for industrial purposes

Read article
A custom designed part printed on MJF printer.

What is MJF (HP's Multi Jet Fusion) 3D printing?

Read article
FDM Rapid Prototyping Service

What is rapid prototyping?

Read article
Introduction to Binder Jetting 3D printing

What is Binder Jetting 3D printing?

Read article
Simulations in 3D Printing

Simulations in 3D printing

Read article
Selecting the right 3D printing process

What’s the right 3D printer for prototyping? Comparing 3D printing processes

Read article
Introduction to Metal 3D printing

What is metal 3D printing and how does it work?

Read article
HP MJF vs. SLS: A 3D Printing Technology Comparison

What is the difference between Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing?

Read article
Introduction to Material Jetting 3D Printing

What is Material Jetting 3D printing?

Read article
Introduction to SLS 3D Printing

What is SLS 3D printing?

Read article
Introduction to SLA 3D Printing

What is SLA printing? The original resin 3D print method

Read article
ABS 3D printed part

When to use 3D printing vs when to use injection molding

Learn what to consider when making a choice between 3D printing and injection molding, the benefits of each manufacturing method, and more.

Read article

3D printing for industrial purposes

Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of various methods of industrial 3D printing, materials that are commonly used, and more

Read article
A custom designed part printed on MJF printer.

What is MJF (HP's Multi Jet Fusion) 3D printing?

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a 3D printing process for building prototyping and end-use parts fast. This article explains how MJF works and its main advantages.

Read article
FDM Rapid Prototyping Service

What is rapid prototyping?

Rapid prototyping uses 3D computer-aided design (CAD) and manufacturing processes to quickly develop 3D parts or assemblies for research and development and/or product testing.

Read article
Introduction to Binder Jetting 3D printing

What is Binder Jetting 3D printing?

In this introduction to Binder Jetting 3D printing, we cover the basic principles of the technology. After reading this article you will understand the fundamental mechanics of the Binder Jetting process and how these relate to its benefits and limitations.

Read article
Simulations in 3D Printing

Simulations in 3D printing

Learn about the benefits and current state-of-the-art of 3D printing simulations. This article describes why, what and how to use simulations in 3D printing and gives tips to help you get started.

Read article
Selecting the right 3D printing process

What’s the right 3D printer for prototyping? Comparing 3D printing processes

What 3D printing process is optimal for prototyping? This article explores the best 3D printers for the prototyping phase of product development, including design advice to get the most out of each manufacturing technology.

Read article
Introduction to Metal 3D printing

What is metal 3D printing and how does it work?

What is metal 3D printing? How does this additive technology work? This article covers the basic principles of SLM (selective laser melting) and DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) and how these relate to the key benefits and limitations of 3D printing.

Read article
HP MJF vs. SLS: A 3D Printing Technology Comparison

What is the difference between Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing?

What is the difference between MJF and SLS 3D printing technology in terms of accuracy, materials, cost and lead times? Here’s how to choose the right additive manufacturing technology for your custom part needs.

Read article
Introduction to Material Jetting 3D Printing

What is Material Jetting 3D printing?

What is Material Jetting 3D printing and how does it work? In this comprehensive intro to this additive process, we explore the main principles of the technology and how to tell if it's the right way to manufacture your custom parts. After reading this article you will understand the fundamental mechanics of the Material Jetting process and how these relate to its benefits and limitations.

Read article
Introduction to SLS 3D Printing

What is SLS 3D printing?

Learn about the basic principles of selective laser sintering, also known as SLS 3D printing. Discover how SLS 3D printing works, the advantages of SLS techniques for rapid prototyping and low-production runs, and the various materials and options available that will suit your part or project.

Read article
Introduction to SLA 3D Printing

What is SLA printing? The original resin 3D print method

SLA printing is the original method used for 3D printing parts in resin. This is everything you need to know about SLA 3D printing!

Read article

Show more

Show less

Ready to transform your CAD file into a custom part? Upload your designs for a free, instant quote.

Get an instant quote