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Realize Inc. Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Stereolithography (SLA)?What tolerances can you hold? What do you mean by "High Resolution" Stereolithography? How big/small of a part can you build? How long will I have to wait for my SLA model? I need a model for a presentation/photo shoot. Can you spice up my SLA model? How much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood? What is RTV tooling? Why would I want a urethane casting? How many parts can you produce from one silicone mold? What file formats do you prefer? What settings should I use when exporting an STL file? What is the best way for me to send you my files? Why don’t you offer instant online quoting? A. Stereolithography is a layer additive rapid prototyping process that creates a solid object from a 3D computer model by using a computer-controlled laser to draw cross-sections of the object in succession onto the surface of a liquid photopolymer. You can watch a short video about the process on our Stereolithography page. A. Typical tolerances on our SLA models are about +/- 0.005". For parts over 5" we can hold around +/- 0.001" to 0.0015" per inch. Part geometry and build orientation can also have an effect on tolerances. A. High Resolution is a special mode on a Viper si2 SLA system. The diameter of the laser beam is decreased from about 0.010" to about 0.003"-0.004" and parts are built at a layer thickness that has been shaved from 0.004" to 0.002". The effective area for this mode is 5"x5". Parts best suited for high resolution are small with intricate detail and/or extremely small features. High Resolution parts are more expensive than their Normal Resolution counterpart. A. The two biggest factors that determine the price of an SLA model are the part volume and the physical size. The unit price of a part tends to decrease as the quantity required increases. A. The biggest part we can build in one piece must fit within a 20"x20"x23" envelope. However, we can and have built larger parts using methods similar to, but obviously more advanced than ‘cutting and pasting’. The smallest part we can build is constrained only by the limits of the Viper’s High Resolution mode. A. Orders are delivered via FedEx usually within two to four days from the time of order. Large parts can take longer and, of course, our backlog at the time of release will also play a role. A. Our finishing team has a great passion for the artsy stuff. We really enjoy the challenges that projects of this nature can present. SLA models can be sanded, custom painted, machined, tapped, assembled, chrome plated, vacuum metallized and they are even compatible with hydrographics finishing. Yes, we can spice up your SLA model! A. As much wood as a woodchuck would, if a woodchuck could chuck wood. A. RTV means Room Temperature Vulcanization. It refers to a rubber material that will completely cure at room temperature. By encapsulating your part in silicone, we can create a rubber mold that will allow us to make a number of copies of the part using, in most cases, a polyurethane. A. Urethane casting can make sense when your project requires a high number of models or when the properties of the SLA materials may not meet the requirements of your particular application. A. The answer to this question is highly dependent on part geometry and choice of material, but typically you can expect a single rubber mold to yield about 20 parts. A. We can accept any of the following file formats: STL, Native Pro/E, Native SolidWorks, Parasolid, STEP and IGES. Other files types may be accepted, but a conversion fee could apply. A. Our preference would be for you to export a binary file using the highest resolution setting your CAD package will allow. If this results in an abnormally large file size, or if you cannot get a fine enough resolution, you may submit one of the other preferred file formats for us to translate. A. The best way for you to send us your data is to use the upload feature on our website. Upon your successful transfer, an automatic notification will alert several members of our team that your request has been submitted. If you prefer to stick with email, we kindly request that your attachment does not exceed 5MB. A. Because your request is too important to be handled only by a mathematical formula. We want to learn as much as we can about your specific application(s) so that we can provide you with the best possible solution(s). Our goal is to build long lasting relationships and even a few friendships. We look forward to each and every phone call. |
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Realize Inc. | 15515 Endeavor Drive Noblesville, IN 46060 | Ph:(317) 915-0295 | Fax:(317) 915-0296 |
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