What is the name of the 3D printing process that uses a laser to harden liquid resin?

The correct answer is SLA, which stands for Stereolithography. This 3D printing process involves using a laser to selectively cure liquid resin into solid structures. The laser directs ultraviolet light onto the surface of a resin tank, causing the liquid resin to polymerize and harden in the areas exposed to the laser. As the laser scans and solidifies the resin layer by layer, a 3D object is created.

SLA is known for producing high-resolution models with smooth surfaces, making it suitable for applications that require fine details and intricate designs. The ability of SLA to work with various types of resins also allows for different material properties, which can be leveraged for functional prototypes or final products.

Other processes listed, like SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), utilize a laser to fuse powdered materials, primarily thermoplastics and metals, but they do not involve liquid resin. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) extrudes thermoplastic filaments layer by layer and does not involve lasers or resin. DLV (Direct Laser Writing) isn't commonly recognized as a standard 3D printing process in the same context as the others. Thus, SLA is distinctly identified with the process of laser curing liquid resin.