3D Printing
UV-masked LCD resin printing for fine detail at a competitive cost.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) printing — also called MSLA — cures a full layer of photopolymer at once. A UV LED array shines through an LCD mask that opens only the pixels in that slice. LCD delivers SLA-like surface quality with faster layer times than a scanning laser, and is often more economical than projector-based DLP for small to mid-size resin parts.
LCD — also called MSLA — shines a UV LED array through a pixel mask so each resin layer cures in one flash. You get SLA-like surfaces with faster layers than a scanning laser, usually at a keener small-batch price than projector DLP.
AIHFABS uses LCD for jewelry masters, figurines, small covers, and visual lots. Large cosmetic flats can pick up a faint pixel grid; we orient those faces when appearance is critical.
Pixel pitch sets the XY detail. Listed envelopes are typical production plates, not a hard stop.
| Lead time | Typical tolerance | Max build envelope | Surface finish | Supports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From 48 hours | ±0.2 mm on supported geometry | Typical production LCD plates up to about 300 × 168 × 300 mm (larger on request) | Smooth as-built; light pixel texture possible on large flats | Required on overhangs |
The same photopolymer families as SLA and DLP: modeling, tough, flexible, castable, high-temp, and qualified bio grades.
Smooth as-built, with optional sanding on large flats that show the mask grid.
Standard LCD deliverable. Light pixel texture may remain on large flats.
Flats sanded and clear-coated when a show-model skin is required.
Dye or tint for presentation colors after the UV post-cure.
LCD is the masked-LED resin option. Pick SLA for very large tanks, DLP for projector cells, SLS for nylon.
| Process | Lead time | Tolerance | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selective Laser Melting (SLM)Metal | From 5 business days (express options where available) | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% (whichever is greater), tighter after machining | Instant quote · typical metal part from $90 |
| Stereolithography (SLA)Resin | From 48 hours for standard resin jobs | ±0.2 mm on well-supported features | Instant quote · typical resin part from $18 |
| Digital Light Processing (DLP)Resin | From 48 hours | ±0.2 mm on supported geometry | Instant quote · typical resin batch from $20 |
| Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)Resin | From 48 hours | ±0.2 mm on supported geometry | Instant quote · typical resin part from $16 |
| Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)Plastic powder | From 48 hours express; 72 hours / 5 days standard tiers | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% | Instant quote · typical nylon part from $28 |
| Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)Plastic powder | From 48 hours express; standard 72 hours / 5 days | ±0.3 mm or ±0.3% | Instant quote · typical PA12 part from $25 |
| Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)Thermoplastic filament | From 24–48 hours depending on size | ±0.5 mm or ±0.5% on FDM-appropriate geometry | Instant quote · typical prototype from $12 |
Exposure time is set to the resin and the smallest feature on the plate. Mixed-height nests are split if they would under- or over-cure.
Wash, post-cure, and support removal match the vat-photopolymer SOP. Drain holes are required on sealed hollows.
Respect pixel size, then give uncured resin a way out.
| Feature | Recommended practice |
|---|---|
| Thin walls | Stay above the resin minimum or the wall will not fully cure. |
| Cosmetic flats | Tilt large A-sides off the pixel grid when appearance is critical. |
| Hollows | Add drain holes before post-cure or trapped resin will leak later. |
| Text | Keep engraved or raised text larger than a few pixels wide. |
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a powder-bed metal additive process. A high-power laser scans each cross-section of your CAD model, melting metal powder that solidifies into a dense part.
Full process details
Stereolithography (SLA) cures liquid photopolymer with a precision UV laser, building parts layer by layer.
Full process details
Digital Light Processing (DLP) solidifies an entire layer of photopolymer at once using a projected image.
Full process detailsYes — masked stereolithography. An LCD panel gates UV LEDs so each layer flashes at once.
LCD cells are usually more economical for small-to-mid resin lots. DLP may still win on certain projector envelopes.
Typical production plates are about 300 × 168 × 300 mm. Larger work is reviewed on request.
Sometimes on large flats. We can re-orient or sand those faces when you mark them as cosmetic.
From 48 hours for standard LCD resin jobs.
AIHFABS quotes custom 3D printing and CNC machining from a CAD upload. Compare SLA, SLS, MJF, SLM, FDM, DLP, milling, and turning, then add finishing such as vapor smoothing, dyeing, anodizing, polishing, or powder coating in the same order.
Instant quoting is built for prototypes, jigs, housings, and small-batch production. You see material, process, quantity, and lead time together, which keeps engineering changes from turning into a new round of supplier emails.
If this page describes a process, industry, or sample part you want to reproduce, start from the upload flow and match technology plus finishing to your drawing.
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