China (Mainland)
SLA Rapid Prototyping (Laser Rapid Prototyping: LRP) is the advanced technology of CAD, CAM, CNC, laser, precision servo drive and new materials, the integration of a new manufacturing technology. Compared with traditional manufacturing methods: prototype replication, high interchangeability; manufacturing process has nothing to do with the geometry of the manufacturing prototype; short processing cycle, low-cost, general manufacturing costs by 50% the processing cycle shortened by more than 70%; height technology integration, to achieve the integration of design and manufacturing.
Recent development of LPR: Stereolithography (SLA) technology; Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology; Laser Cladding Forming (LCF) technology; Laser nearly shape (LENS) technology; the laser the sheet stacked manufacturing (LOM) technology ; Laser induced thermal stress forming (LF) technology and three-dimensional printing technology.
Stereolithography (SLA) technology
The SLA technology also known as light curing rapid prototyping technology, its principle is computer-controlled point-by-point scanning of the laser beam on the surface of the photosensitive resin as raw material, the scanning area of the thin layer of resin (about a tenth of a millimeter) light polymerization and curing formation of a thin layer of the parts. Bench down a thick layer of distance, so that the cured resin surface and then putting a new layer of liquid resin, scanning and processing of the next layer, and so forth, until the entire prototype manufacturing. As the photopolymerization reaction is based on the effect of light, rather than on the action of heat, so the work just low-power laser light source. In addition, because there is no thermal diffusion, plus the chain reaction can be well controlled, to ensure that the polymerization reaction does not occur outside of the laser spot, and thus high precision machining), good surface quality, close to 100% utilization of raw materials, can be manufactured complex shapes, fine parts, and high efficiency. The first block may be used for larger parts, molding and bonding method of making.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) technology
SLS technique SLA technology is very similar, but with the powder raw material to replace the liquid photopolymer, and acting on the powder material to a certain scanning speed and energy. The technology has a wide selection of raw materials, excess material is easy to clean, and a wide range of applications, suitable for the manufacture of prototypes and functional parts. In the forming process, the laser operating parameters as well as the characteristics of the powder and the sintering atmosphere is an important parameter affecting the sintering quality