A large SLA build rising out of the resin vat

MSLA · Inverted laser SLA · Industrial SLA · SLM metal

From desktop 3D printing to industrial production

Four ways to print, from three makers. MSLA, inverted laser SLA and industrial SLA make polymer parts in resin. SLM makes them in metal. The right choice depends on the part, the material, its size and how many you need.

Compare the technologies Discuss your application

4: printing technologies
3: makers: HeyGears, DWS and UnionTech
2100 mm: longest resin build, on the UnionTech RSPro2100
Metal: as well as resin, with SLM

Compare the technologies

Four ways to print.

Three print in resin and one in metal. Each card says how it works, what it does well and which maker we supply it from.

A white lattice part printed on the HeyGears Reflex 2 Pro beside the 3D printer

Resin

MSLA · masked stereolithography

Detailed resin printing in your design workspace

A light source shines through an LCD screen beneath a tank of liquid resin. The screen acts as a mask, exposing the shape of a whole layer at once. The platform lifts, fresh resin flows underneath and the process repeats.

Fine detail and smooth surfaces for models, prototypes and selected functional parts.
Whole-layer exposure makes it practical to print several parts together on the build plate.

Typical uses. Product design, detailed models, prototypes and engineering parts in the right resin.

Explore HeyGears 3D printers

Resin

Inverted laser SLA

Precise laser printing with flexible resin workflows

An upside-down form of laser stereolithography. A laser shines through the transparent bottom of the resin tank and traces each layer and the platform lifts the part out of the resin as it grows.

A shallow working resin volume, so there is no deep vat to fill around the whole part.
Smaller resin quantities and removable tanks make changing material more manageable.

Typical uses. Detailed prototypes, casting patterns, specialist tooling and production parts, depending on the machine and material.

Explore DWS 3D printers

A Europac 3D technician holding an SLA printed steering wheel in front of a row of UnionTech 3D printers

Resin

Industrial SLA · stereolithography

Large-format resin printing for industrial applications

A laser above a vat of liquid resin traces and solidifies each layer. The build platform lowers into the vat and a fresh layer of resin is spread for the next scan.

Large build volumes take substantial parts in one piece, or batches of smaller components.
Smooth surfaces and an established industrial resin range suit prototypes, patterns and tooling.

Typical uses. Automotive prototypes, large housings, master patterns, display models and tooling.

Explore UnionTech SLA 3D printers

Metal

SLM · selective laser melting

Manufacture complex parts directly in metal

A form of laser powder bed fusion. A recoater spreads a thin layer of metal powder, lasers melt the selected areas and fuse them to the layer below, then the platform lowers and the process repeats, inside a controlled atmosphere.

Metal parts with complex shapes and internal features that can be hard to machine.
Several components built together, so suitable parts need no dedicated mould tooling.

Typical uses. Engineering components, metal tooling and parts with internal channels. Material and application are checked for each job.

Explore UnionTech metal 3D printers

Where to start.

A starting point for a conversation, not an automatic answer. Tell us about the part and we will compare the options with you.

A desktop resin system for detailed models and prototypesHeyGears MSLA Precise laser resin printing with manageable material changesDWS Inverted laser SLA Large resin parts or substantial prototype buildsUnionTech Industrial SLA Components manufactured directly in metalUnionTech SLM metal

Desktop, professional and industrial.

Three groups that overlap, not a ladder. Desktop systems produce professional parts and DWS makes industrial machines as well as compact ones.

Range	What it is for	Makers and technology
Desktop	Detailed resin printing in your design workspace.	HeyGears Reflex and Reflex Turbo (MSLA)
Professional	Specialist resin materials and precise parts for demanding applications.	HeyGears Reflex 2 and Reflex 2 Pro (MSLA), DWS DW and XFAB (inverted laser SLA)
Industrial	Large resin parts, or manufacturing directly in metal.	UnionTech industrial SLA and SLM metal, DWS XPRO and XCELL (inverted laser SLA)

Find the right system for your parts.

Tell us what you want to make, the material properties you need, your largest part and how many you expect to produce. We can help you compare the options across our desktop, professional and industrial ranges.