In the SLA process, what type of laser is used to cure the resin?

In the Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA) process, a UV laser is used to cure the liquid resin. This is because SLA technology relies on the polymerization reaction triggered by ultraviolet light. The UV laser precisely directs its energy onto the resin, causing it to harden layer by layer. This method allows for high resolution and precision in creating intricate designs, which is a significant advantage of SLA compared to other additive manufacturing techniques.

Using UV light is essential for ensuring that the resin cures effectively, as it is specifically formulated to respond to this wavelength, allowing for a controlled and efficient solidification process during the printing. This characteristic sets the SLA process apart from those that use other types of lasers, such as CO2, solid-state, or diode lasers, which do not match the curing requirements of the resin employed in SLA applications.