LittleSLA UV Resin Printer Build

[sgraber]

I'm helping beta test an upcoming Kickstarter printer: the LittleSLA.  



It's a tiny UV resin printer that uses a DLP and photosensitive liquid to build an object layer by layer at very high resolutions. The starting layer height is at around 0.100mm and one beta tester (Anderson Ta) has gotten it down to 0.025mm layer height.  The build area is pretty small (60mm X, 40mm Y, 100mm Z) but the parts are incredibly high resolution and some examples can be seen here:  www.littlesla.com/?page_id=28.  All in all, their goal is to get the build down to ~$500, excluding the DLP cost. One down side is a high quality DLP is going to run you around $300-$600 new, but acceptable ones can be found on Ebay for ~$100.

Here are some photos of my build:  www.flickr.com/photos/sbgraber/sets/72157645221399424/

And here are some photos of Anderson Ta's build: www.flickr.com/photos/andersonta  Of particular interest:







I'm also going to start working with MakerJuice Labs on UV resin development for UV DLP/SLA-type printers, since I've got over 14 years experience formulating UV-type products from a former career in Ohio.  I've got lab equipment coming and a number of resin samples to start evaluating. 

Should be fun!  

[jimustanguitar]

Looks awesome, Shane! Can't wait to see the updates each week.

If they're looking for more Alpha/Beta testers, you know who to call

[sgraber]

Who all here is interested in one? I'm hoping to have my printer running by Thursday if anyone wants to see it.

[jimustanguitar]

I'd love to have one. Please do bring it on Thursday, I'll try to get the facebook page excited.

[bvandiepenbos]

Nice Shane.
i look forward to seeing it Thursday.

[sgraber]

A big "Thank You!" to Brian and John for helping with cutting and assembly!

[BeeAmaker]

I like it! wish it was a bigger print area but will be great for those table top gamers to make their own fantasy figures!

[sgraber]

Yep, that's actually his target audience: those that want a resin printer to print tiny stuff, especially jewelry for casting. For me, that's all I really want is high quality miniatures and also a way to test new resin formulations easily and inexpensively.

[sgraber]

So far the z-axis is working well with Creation Workshop, the controller software. It took a bit to get GRBL configured on the Uno, but once I figured it out, it was really pretty straight forward. MakerJuice resins came in Monday, so I'm set there as well.

The projector was modded last night (kind of a pain - had to move the lens out 3.6mm) so it would focus down into a tiny spot for printing. The PDMS vats are also complete. I'm hoping to make the first print tonight!

[bvandiepenbos]

The printer is so simple, not very many parts.... I would think it could be a $200.00 printer? + the projector.
What is making it hard to get it even under $500 ?

[sgraber]

If you're self-sourcing it, you could probably do it for ~$200-$300 (before projector cost). However, Brad is trying to make a business out of it so there is some markup, especially if he's selling them as assembled.

Incidentally, I did not get it printing last night as I had to print some additional parts for it. Hopefully I can do a dry-run this evening.

[sgraber]

First prints off of the printer delaminated, and I believe it's due to surface contamination of the aluminum build block.  In any event, here's the first prints as I'm dialing it in!  Each of these parts is 25mm wide and is printed at 0.100mm layer height. Total build time for each part was 15min. 

www.flickr.com/photos/sbgraber/14473050165/

[jimustanguitar]

Lookin great!

[sgraber]

LEFT: 3D printed Rook I received at a trade show in 2003. RIGHT: Doge Rocket I printed last night!

I still have optimizations to make but it's looking good!

[heathenx]

That looks like a super printer. I'd like my next 3D printer purchase to be an SLA one. Looking forward to a time when these will be available.