Together, 3D Systems' ThermoJet and stereolithography systems offer complementary product development solutions that accelerate your product development process, so you produce better products, in less time, and at less cost. Together, they offer your organization the most cost-efficient, flexible solution to turn your design concepts into reality.

Stereolithography is an entirely different process, but it produces a photopolymer plastic part. The "parts" created by stereolithography can be used for modeling, prototyping (form/fit/function testing) applications, and also as master patterns for casting and injection mold tooling.

Solid Modeling CAD systems output an .stl file, which is then made ready for building on the stereolithography (SLA) system by "slicing" the file into layers, and adding support structures to support the model on the platform. Once prepared, the build file is transferred to the SLA, and then built. A laser generating a small intense beam of Ultraviolet (UV) energy is moved by a computer-controlled optical scanning system across the top of a vat containing liquid photopolymer. As the laser beam comes in contact with the liquid photopolymer, it transforms the liquid into a solid. As each layer is completed, a vertical elevator system dips the newly formed layer into the vat, which applies a layer of liquid resin over the last layer drawn. The leveling and recoating systems are used to establish the thickness and flatness of the liquid layer covering the last solidified layer. As each layer is drawn and leveled, it adheres to the previous layer creating a solid part. This process continues until the final layer has been drawn; then, the part is removed from the SLA, rinsed, and illuminated with high intensity UV energy light source to complete the polymerization process. The part may then be finished as desired using various methods including sanding, sandblasting, painting, or dyeing.