SLA, DLP and LCD 3D printing
Photopolymer resins developed for vat photopolymerization technologies, including SLA, DLP and LCD/MSLA systems. This portfolio supports industrial, medical, dental and research workflows through made-to-order resin systems and application-driven material platforms.
What is SLA, DLP and LCD/MSLA?
All three are vat photopolymerization processes that cure liquid resins layer-by-layer. The key difference is how light is delivered, which impacts speed, detail and calibration behavior:
- SLA: laser spot scanning (precision depends on spot size, scan strategy and resin kinetics).
- DLP: projected image exposure (detail depends on projected pixel size, optics and irradiance uniformity).
- LCD/MSLA: masked pixel exposure (throughput and affordability, performance depends on pixel size, uniformity and exposure control).
What matters most in SLA/DLP/LCD resin performance
- Optics and wavelength: resin reactivity must match your light source and optical power.
- Exposure strategy: layer time, bottom layers and transitions strongly affect accuracy and surface.
- Viscosity and flow: impacts recoating, peel forces and defect risk, especially at fine features.
- Post-processing: cleaning and curing define final properties, stability and surface quality.
- Constraints: biocompatibility, low-toxicity handling, sterilization or casting burnout must be considered early.
Commercial resin families
Main entry points for SLA/DLP/LCD materials, organized by performance level and use case breadth:
- Low cost basic 3D resins – entry-level materials for models, prototypes and cost-sensitive evaluation.
- Standard 3D resins – established general-purpose systems for industrial and R&D workflows.
- Next Generation 3D resins – improved stability and performance for more demanding technical use.
- Specialty 3D resins – niche platforms for non-standard requirements and advanced functions.
- Engineering & Functional 3D resins – defined mechanical/functional performance for engineering parts and prototypes.
Material platforms (selected)
Platform-driven collections often selected based on constraints such as sustainability targets, chemistry class or end-use environment:
- Bio-based 3D resins – sustainability-oriented photopolymer platforms incorporating bio-based components.
- Hydrogel 3D resins – hydrogel photopolymers for research and specialized workflows.
- ESD compliant 3D resin materials – materials designed for electrostatic control and ESD-sensitive environments.
Select by application
If you already know your end-use area, start with application collections and then validate printer/process compatibility:
- Dental resins
- Direct printed orthodontic aligners
- Biocompatible 3D resins
- 3D resins for microfluidics
- Silicone like 3D resins
Indirect routes (casting, sacrificial, molds)
If the printed part is an intermediate tool, mold or sacrificial structure, use an indirect route. Concept overview: Indirect Additive Manufacturing (AM).
- Castable 3D printing resins – investment casting patterns with controlled burnout behavior.
- 3D resins for printing durable molds
- Sacrificial & Mold-Making 3D resins – sacrificial molds, patterns and tooling workflows.
Printer compatibility and calibration
Performance depends on the full material–printer–process chain (printer model, layer thickness, exposure strategy, temperature, cleaning and curing). For examples and context, see: Examples of compatible SLA/DLP/LCD printers.
IFU & Printing Parameters
3Dresyns materials are process-dependent systems. Final performance depends on formulation version, printer technology, exposure strategy and post-processing workflow. Use the official guidance in Instructions for Use & Printing Parameters.
Need help choosing the right SLA / DLP / LCD route?
Share your printer model, wavelength (if known), layer thickness, target properties and intended post-processing workflow: