Novel stereolithography system for small size objects

Abstract

Purpose

To satisfy the demands for rapid prototyped small‐size objects with intricate microstructures, a high‐resolution stereolithography (SL) system is developed.

Design/methodology/approach

This novel SL system consists of a single mode He‐Cd laser, an improved optical scanning system, a novel recoating system and a control system. The improved optical system consists of a beam expander, an acoustic‐optic modulator, a galvanometric scanner and an F‐θ lens; the recoating system consists of roller pump, resins vat with an integrated high‐resolution translation stage and part building platform and a scraper. Experimental studies were performed to investigate the influences of building parameters on the cured line width and depth.

Findings

With the SL system, a laser light spot with a diameter of 12.89 μm on the focal plane and resin layers with a thickness of 20 μm have been obtained. The experimental results indicate that cured depth and width increase with the ratio of laser power to scanning speed, and cured line with a width of 12 μm and a depth of 28 μm was built, which showed the capability building microstructures with this new SL system.

Research limitations/implications

The building area limited to 65 × 65 mm, is smaller than that of current SL system.

Practical implications

Small objects with intricate microstructures can be fabricated with the SL system.

Originality/value

The high‐resolution SL system provides a solution to the problem that has hampered the progress of SL process into a high resolution ranges below 75 μm.

Citation

Xu, G., Zhao, W., Tang, Y. and Lu, B. (2006), "Novel stereolithography system for small size objects", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 12-17. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552540610637228