DLP vs. Laser SLA Printing

[adravi24]

What do you guys prefer for SLA printers? DLP or Laser?


Major pros/cons for both?

[awerby]

The laser-based SLA printers are more mechanically complex, with galvanometers and front-surface mirrors to keep clean. The detail is limited by the spot size of the laser. But they're pretty simple to operate, until something goes wrong. The resin (at least the type I used) is more expensive than the resin used in my DLP printer, and doesn't burn out as well for lost-wax casting.

The DLP (projection) systems are simpler, since the whole slice is exposed at once. That also makes them faster, so they can slice thinner. But when you want more resolution, then you have to reduce your build volume, since that's dependent on the focal length of the projector. At the highest resolutions, that makes the objects you can print fairly tiny. Also, the projector bulb has a limited life, about 2000 hours at the outside. As they age, they will start dimming, and print quality will suffer. Changing them is difficult and expensive, although not as bad as changing out a laser.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com