Category — Stereolithography

We recently made some additions to our finishing levels.   Download the print ready pdf here: 

Engineering Finishes - Overview

E2: Minimal cleanup for all processes.
SLA: supports removed.
Machining: burrs removed.
Casting: gate and flash removed.

E3: Part is lightly sanded and/or bead or vapor blasted to minimize evidence of the build process and achieve consistent finish.

E4: This is an upgraded E3 with customer specific instructions.  Example: further cleanup, fitting, clear coating for “engineering” level clarity etc. The end result is still considered an “engineering” model.

Appearance Finishes - Overview

A5: Part is sanded smooth on exterior surfaces, eliminating evidence of the process where necessary, and fitted if required. Part is primed and ready for final paint or rubber mold if part is being used as a pattern.

A6: Part is sanded smooth on exterior and interior surfaces and clear coated or polished for appearance purposes.

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Below is a chart comparing the heat deflection temperatures of the various SLA resins that we currently run here at Dynacept.  PCA cure (standard UV cure) and thermal post cure values are listed.  Please note that not all resins can be thermally post cured.  A printable pdf version of this chart can be found here. 

Related Items:

• Thermally post curing SLA parts.
•  SLA product data sheets.

The photo below shows the three different finish levels available for clear SLA parts.  The part in the picture was built using DSM Somos WaterClear® Ultra 10122.

• E3 - Engineering Finish.
• E4 - Engineering Clear.
• A6 - Appearance Clear.

A print ready version of all of our finishing levels is available here.

DSM Somos recently released a video from the 3DSUG conference where they did some live Gardner impact tesing of various RP materials.  The video is meant to demostrate the impact toughness of DMX-SL™ 100 resin.  It is quite impressive and worth watching.  Click the image below to be taken directly to the video.

 Related Items:

DMX-SL 100 Product Page
Tensile Bar Abuse Video
DMX-SL 100 Product Data Sheet

Some SLA resins can be thermally post cured in order to achieve higher heat deflection temperatures (HDT). Clean, UV post cured parts are placed in a thermal oven with sufficient support material (usually fine sand). The oven temperature is then ramped up to a specified temp and held at that temp for a given time. The oven is then turned off and the parts allowed to slowly cool. Cooling the parts too quickly can lead to thermal shock.

ln general, parts will become a bit stiffer and elongation at break will decrease after the thermal post cure process. Thermally post cured parts will also change color, turning slightly yellow / brown.  The picture below shows the color differences with parts built in Somos 10122 WaterClear Ultra before and after thermal post cure.  The process of thermal post curing parts can add an additional day to our normal speedy delivery.

A complete list of our resins and product data sheets can be found on our Downloads page. Resins that can be thermally post cured are called out. If you have any questions regarding thermal post cure, please contact one of our estimators, or your project manager.

In our efforts to continually invest in the latest technologies, we have added yet another Viper si2, giving Dynacept a total of 10 SLA machines.

Our current SLA machine roster includes:

• 7 Viper si2’s with Hi Resolution (HR) capabilities.
• 1 Viper Pro - The largest SLA build platform available.
• 1 SLA 5000.
• 1 SLA 3500.

SLA resins currently available:

• DSM Somos 18420 ProtoGen O-XT
• DSM Somos 11122 WaterShed XC
• DSM Somos 9120
• DSM Somos DMX-SL 100
• DSM Somos 10122 WaterClear Ultra (New)
• 3D Systems Accura 55 Plastic
• 3D Systems Accura 60 Plastic

Product data sheets available Here.

OpenMoko recently released the CAD files for the Neo Handset.  If you are a developer in need of prototype parts for your OpenMoko project, don’t hesitate to contact us.  We can create prototype parts using one of our many SLA or CNC machines.  Check out our portfolio for examples of similar type work.

Related Items:

OpenMoko
CAD Files
Dynacept Portfolio
OpenMoko Press Announcement

The photos below illustrate some common finishing levels available for SLA parts.

Click on each image for a larger view.

Vacuum metalizing is a process of evaporating metals (usually aluminum) inside of a vacuum chamber to achieve a thin uniform metalized coating or layer. Prior to metalizing, your SLA parts will need to sanded smooth to an A5 appearance level finish.

Uses for vacuum metalized parts include:

• Lamp reflectors.
• Kitchen & bath fixtures.
• Kitchen utensils & cookware.
• Hand & garden tools.

Contact your account manager to get your project started.

Related Items:

dynacept-finish-level-descriptions.pdf

Finish level descriptions- pdf (Updated)

WaterShed® XC 11122 is a near colorless version of the ABS-like 11120 material.  It produces SLA parts that can be made clear and offers outstanding water resistance and high dimensional stability.

We are currently running WaterShed® XC 11122 in (2) Viper Si2’s.

Product Data Sheet

DSM Somos® DMX-SL™ 100 is an extremely durable SL resin that produces very accurate parts with super smooth side walls.

We are currently running DMX-SL 100 in a Viper Si2.

Product Data Sheet

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Dynacept has invested in 3D Lightyear Software, featuring “High Fidelity Slice” enhancement, for all all of our high resolution Viper machines.  This software creates a more accurate representation of the STL file resulting in super smooth contours and glass like side walls.

The pics below show the comparison of slice data using the previous software, and the new High Fidelity software.  Click on the pics to view a larger version.

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