====== SLA (Resin-based) 3D Printing ======

SLA printers use a liquid resin-based plastic and UV light provided by a screen beneath the resin vat to produce high resolution 3D prints.

We have numerous SLA printers in the 3D printing room. Each of them requires its own settings both for the hardware of the printer and for the resin used for a specific print.

As we develop solid, repeatable techniques for a particular printer and a particular resin, that information will be compiled here.

===== General SLA 3D Printing Workflow =====

For any of our SLA printers, the workflow to get a 3D model printed is basically:

  - Select your 3D model and the resin you would like to have it printed in
  - Verify we have that resin on hand and have known-good settings for that resin and the printer to be used
  - Slice the model using 3D slicing software (we currently use [[Chitubox]] for most of our SLA printing)
  - Confirm that the sliced model looks reasonable
  - Ensure resin vat is secured to printer
  - Shake resin bottle to mix resin thoroughly
  - Add resin to printer vat
  - Ensure print platform (print bed) is installed and secured
  - Place the cover back on the printer
  - Insert USB flash drive with 3D model sliced for the appropriate printer
  - Use printer's interface to select the file and start the print
  - Wait for the print to complete
  - Follow the post-print curing and cleaning steps for the printer and resin in use

===== Our Printers =====

==== Currently Functional ====

The following SLA printers are currently online and available for use by our members when they are not already in use:

  * [[Anycubic Photon M7 Pro]] (1 unit)
  * [[Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K]] (1 unit)
  * [[Voxelab Proxima]] (2 units)

==== Currently Offline ====

We also have the following SLA printers that are currently offline awaiting troubleshooting, parts, or repairs:

  * [[Elegoo Mars]] (2 units)
  * [[Elegoo Saturn]] (1 unit)

If you are interested in helping us get these back online, talk to Sundog or Andrew and let's make it happen!

===== Our Resins =====

We try to standardize on a set of resins that meet our material needs in terms of hardness, detail, color, and other qualities. There are many UV-curable resins available on the market, but these are the ones we have found meet our needs best:

  * [[plastics:3D printing resins:Anycubic ABS-Like Resin v2 Gray|Anycubic ABS-Like Resin v2 Gray (water wash)]]
  * Elegoo Water Washable Gray (water wash)
  * Siraya Tech Sculpt 12K Dark Gray (alcohol wash)