Vat Photopoymerisation is a popular form and one of the earliest form of 3D printing technology. DLP 3D printing technology, which originated from Stereoithography, has gained foothold in established industries like dentistry, jewelry, and casting.
This has led to rapid development of application-specific resins which, apart from printing high-resolution parts, also offer necessary mechanical and chemical properties.
We take a quick look at some of the most popular resins used in DLP 3D printing technology.
Standard DLP 3D Printing Resin
Standard, as the name suggests, is a general purpose 3D printing resin for use in DLP 3D printers. This is the basic material from where ever DLP 3D printer user can start and print models. This material has average strength, average temperature resistance, and overall average performance. Contrary to its average properties, it gives out equally fine prints with smooth surface finish.
The manufacturer also share a material fact sheet for users to check the properties and so it can be used for appropriate applications.
Clear DLP 3D Printing Resin
This DLP 3D printing resin is quite similar to the standard resin in its properties however it is also available in dental properties. The models printed in this resin are clear and transparent. This is the only material in entire 3D printing technology which offers a capability to print a transparent part. And so it is widely used in optics, mold-making and parts which require high transparency.
Tough DLP 3D Printing Resin
Tough 3D printing resin is a specific purpose material formulated to be used in applications requiring high strength, stability and stress bearing capacity. This resin is majorly used for end-use applications prone to high wear& tear. It is also used for strength testing of prototypes and manufacturing functional parts requiring assemblies.
Flexible DLP 3D Printing Resin
This material can be compared with the flexible filaments used in FDM 3D printing (link the filament article here), and serve similar applications. Flexible resins used in DLP 3D printing formulated to undergo constant or frequent bending, compression and twisting and more importantly to regain its original shape. The parts manufactured from these resins are soft and durable and used as grips, packaging handles, flexible prototypes, dampening part, insoles, etc.
Dental DLP 3D Printing Resin
Dental 3D printing resins, as obvious, are developed specifically for dental applications. The products like retainers & splints, surgical guides, crowns & bridges, etc. are the major applications of this resin. Dental models, aligners are also manufactured from these resins.
A lot of DLP 3D printer manufacturers supply such dental resins.
Bio-Compatible DLP 3D Printing Resin
Bio-compatible resins are used in applications focussed around dental products. Parts printed from these resins come in contact with the patients saliva and so they should not be toxic. Hence the precaution is taken for making sure these materials are bio-compatible. Applications of these DLP 3D printing resins are similar to dental resins.
Castable DLP 3D Printing Resin
Castable DLP 3D printing resin must be the most widely used professional resin. It is used in jewelry and metal casting applications. The castable resins are capable of capturing the finest of features of the design and hence it is an asset for the jewelry industry. Most importantly, these resins offer a complete burnout guarantee as it is crucial during investment casting process.
High-Temp DLP 3D Printing Resin
As the name suggests, High-temperature DLP 3D printing resins are carefully formulated to sustain high temperatures. Their properties are not affected even at high temperatures. The temperature the parts sustain vary according to the material manufacturer but the thresholds are mentioned in the material fact sheet shared by manufacturers. For example: A material offered by Formlabs a Heat-Deflection Temperature of 289oC at 0.45 MPa.
Daylight DLP 3D Printing Resin
Daylight 3D printing resins are photosensitive resins which are cured (hardened) on exposure to visible light unlike the other resins which require UV light to be cured. Only a few companies offer such resins. It is a completely separate line of resins and these resins cannot be used in other resin 3D printers or vice versa.
This range of 3D printing resins also have multiple materials like castable, flexible, firm, high-temperature, tough, etc.
