(028) 9070 6940 
sales@laserproto.com 
Why choose Digital Light Processing (DLP)?
One of the biggest strengths of Digital Light Processing (DLP), which is one of the newer 3D Printing processes, is the material chemistries of its resins that resemble production grade materials. The DLP material range addresses a wide variety of applications needs, for functional prototyping, direct production of end-use parts and molding and casting. Available materials cover a wide range of critical properties and include rubber-like, castable, heat resistant, and rigid and durable with thermoplastic-like behaviours materials.
The DLP process is particularly suited to parts with complex structures with small cross sectional areas that require good surface finish and high strength properties.
Models produced using digital light processing are manufactured with ultra fast print speeds and parts can be turned around rapidly. This makes it a very suitable process for projects which require efficient design iteration.
DLP is ideal for low volume production as production-grade parts can be manufactured without tooling at competitive prices.
Unsure if digital light processing is the right technology for your project?
Request a Quote
Materials
TOUGH-BLK 20
- Black ABS like parts
- Production grade long-term indoor and outdoor environmental stability
- Durable and strong
- Excellent humidity/moisture resistance
- High precision and smooth surface finish with exceptional sidewall quality
MED-AMB 10
- Amber ABS like parts
- Thermal resistance over 100 °C
- Rigid and translucent
- Excellent visualization for parts requiring evaluation of internal features and their performance
MED-WHT 10
- White ABS like parts
- Rigid material
- Thermal resistance over 100 °C
- Excellent humidity/moisture resistance
RUBBER-65A BLK
- Black elastomer parts
- High elongation at break
- Shore-A of 65 (medium hard rubber)
- Mid-tear strength, compression set, Bayshore rebound resilience
HI TEMP 300-AMB
- Production grade amber parts
- Ultra-high temperature plastic for use in applications requiring high heat resistance
- Heat deflection temperature of over 300 °C at both low and high stress
- Translucent material so excellent visualization for parts requiring evaluation of internal features and fluid flow performance
RIGID GREY
- Production-grade grey parts
- Long-term environmental stability
- High contrast grey colour good for detail visualization for textures and lettering
- Tensile testing shows thermoplastic behaviour with necking at break
- Features 72˚C heat deflection temperature and 30% elongation at break.
Technical Specification
| Standard lead time: | 3- 5 days. If your project is urgent, please let a member of sales team know so that we can investigate if anything can be done to improve the lead time |
|---|---|
| Minimum feature size: | 0.1mm |
| Layer thickness: | 0.01-0.05mm |
| Tolerances: | Expected tolerances are geometry and material-dependent, ranging from +/-0.10 to 0.50 per 100mm |
| Max part size: | 124 x 70.2 x 196mm |
| Machines: | Multiple Figure 4 stand alone printers |
Please note figures provided above are expected tolerances, we cannot guarantee part tolerance.
Process Comparison
| Stereolithography (SLA) | Stereolithography High Res. (SLA HR) | Digital Light Processing (DLP) | Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) | Direct Metal Laser Sintering Production (DMLS Pro) | Direct Metal Laser Sintering High Res. (DMLS HR) | Hybrid Photosynthesis (HPS) | |
| Description | High quality precision prints, excellent detail & definition. Wide range of materials. | SLA prints with ultra fine detail & definition. | Super high resolution for small & complex parts in durable prototype & production materials. | Very tough, high impact and high-temperature resistant. Range of nylon materials. | Metal parts with excellent physical and mechanical properties – full production spec (>99% density). | High resolution metal prints with superior surface finish and ultra-fine detail. | High-definition parts with production grade functional properties. |
| Layer Thickness | 0.1mm | 0.05mm | 0.01-0.05mm | 0.1-0.15mm | 0.03-0.06mm | 0.015-0.025mm | 0.05-0.1mm |
| Minimum printable XY features | 0.15mm | 0.08mm | 0.1mm | 0.75mm | 0.2mm | 0.1mm | 0.1mm |
| Minimum printable Z feature | 0.5mm | 0.5mm | 0.3mm | 0.5mm | 0.06mm | 0.03mm | 0.3mm |
| Typical Tolerance | +/- 0.15 Per 100mm | +/- 0.10 Per 100mm | +/- 0.25 Per 100mm | +/- 0.25 Per 100mm | +/- 0.10 Per 100mm | +/- 0.10 Per 100mm | +/- 0.25 Per 100mm |
| Max Part Size | 650 x 750 x 550mm | 450 x 450 x 415mm | 124x70.2x196mm | 320 x 320 x 600mm | 250x250x305mm | 90x90x90mm | 249x140x495mm |
| Quality of printed Surface Finish | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Lead Times | 3-5 days | 3-5 days | 3-5 Days | 3-5 days | 5-7 Days | 5-7 Days | 3-5 days |
| Price | ££ | £££ | ££ | £ | £££ | ££££ | ££ |
Finishing options
LPE has a team of experienced in-house traditional model makers and a full spray-painting booth allowing us to offer our customers a range of finishing and painting options.
Natural
Supported surfaces are sanded to remove support structures. Other surfaces are not sanded.
Standard
Components produced using digital light processing are sanded to remove support structures and build lines and then bead blasted for an overall smooth finish.
Metal Plating
It is possible to metal coat DLP components parts in a range of different metals including chrome and nickel.
Other paint finishes
It is possible to give DLP parts a range of paint finishes including cosmetic (Pantone/RAL colour matching), matt, satin, spark or gloss.
Applications
Prototyping
- Rapid functional prototyping
- Concept models
Production
- Short run production of durable, functional plastic parts
- Applications requiring biocompatibility and/or thermal resistance
- Elastomeric parts
- Jigs and fixtures
Tooling
- Rapid tooling - moulds and master patterns
- Investment casting patterns for jewellery
How does DLP work?
DLP or Digital Light Processing refers to a method of printing that makes use of a projector as a light source to vat polymerise (cure or solidify) photosensitive polymers (photopolymers).
Each layer of the desired structure is projected into a vat of liquid resin from below. When one layer is solidified the build platform moves up by one layer in height and the process is repeated until the part is complete. The advantage of this method over traditional SLA is that the entire layer is cured in one go, whereas with SLA a laser beam has to draw the 2D image with a small beam which can take much longer.
As the part is drawn upside down through a clear window at the bottom of a tank there is no need for a re-coater in the DLP process. Removing the need for a recoating mechanism allows for smaller build layers and faster processing.
FAQs
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What colours are available for DLP parts?
LPE offer an extensive range of paint finishes for DLP, and can match a range of RAL and Pantone colours.
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Which industries commonly use DLP?
DLP is commonly used in the medical, aerospace, consumer and film industries.
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What types of plastics are used in DLP?
A wide range of UV-cured photopolymer resins are used.
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What types of rubbers are used in DLP?
Typically, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are used.
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How accurate is DLP?
Like all industrial AM processes, DLP is highly accurate. It can achieve particularly fine features when those features are supported by a local wall.
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How much does DLP printing cost?
DLP projects are priced based on quantity, complexity and post-processing requirements. It is a cost-effective alternative to injection moulding.
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Which material is best for my project?
See material info and datasheets in the section above. If you are still unsure which material is best for your project, contact us and a member of our technical team will assist you.
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Is DLP cost-effective for low volumes?
Yes, DLP is a cost-effective method of low volume production.
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Is DLP best for production or prototyping?
While DLP can be used for prototyping, it’s functional material properties and aesthetic surface quality make it ideal for production.
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What are the limitations of DLP?
The primary limitation of DLP is build size. The build frame of DLP machines is limited to 124×70.2x196mm.
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How will DLP affect my carbon footprint?
Like other AM processes, DLP offers significant savings on material waste, and can help you minimise excess stock, reduce the weight of your parts (and thus your shipping emissions), and onshore/nearshore your manufacturing for further reduced shipping emissions.
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How long do quotes take?
Quotes typically take 2-4 hours.
Why choose LPE?
Range of services and materials
One stop shop for all your prototyping and production requirements with a full range of in-house services and wide range of materials.
Speed of turnaround
Parts can be turned around in a matter of days.
ISO9001 and ISO13485
quality approved
Quality is at the heart of everything we do and is integrated into all our processes. All our parts are finised to the highest standard every time.
Speed of turnaround
Parts can be turned around in a matter of days.
Free next day delivery
Personal service
Technical sales team offering a professional, experienced and personal service.