Technical Specifications & Design Guidelines
Precision parameters, process tolerances, and design rules for SLA resin printing and pressure casting — engineered to production standards.
Process Comparison Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of manufacturing processes across the metrics that matter most to engineers.
| Metric | SLA Resin | Pressure Casting | Injection Molding | CNC Machining | FDM Printing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensional Accuracy | ±0.05 mm | ±0.1–0.3 mm | ±0.05–0.1 mm | ±0.01–0.05 mm | ±0.2–0.5 mm |
| Min. Wall Thickness | 0.6 mm | 1.0 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.5 mm | 1.2 mm |
| Min. Feature Size | 0.2 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3 mm | Tool dep. | 1.0 mm |
| Surface Finish (Ra) | 0.4–1.6 µm | 0.8–3.2 µm | 0.1–0.8 µm | 0.4–3.2 µm | 6.3–25 µm |
| Lead Time | 1–3 days | 5–10 days | 4–12 weeks | 3–7 days | 1–2 days |
| Min. Order Qty | 1 | 1 | 500–10,000+ | 1 | 1 |
| Max Build Volume | 330×185×300 mm | 600×400×300 mm | Custom mold | Machine dep. | 250×250×300 mm |
| Tooling Cost | None | Low (silicone mold) | Very High (steel mold) | None–Low | None |
| Isotropy | Near-isotropic | Isotropic | Anisotropic | Isotropic | Anisotropic |
| Ideal Volume | 1–500 | 1–200 | 500+ | 1–100 | 1–50 |
* Values represent typical ranges. Actual results depend on geometry, material, and part size.
SLA Resin Printing — Technical Specifications
Layer Resolution
25 / 50 / 100 µm
Default: 50 µm
XY Accuracy
±0.05 mm or ±0.15%
Whichever is greater
Z Accuracy
±0.1 mm
Per 100 mm build height
Max Build Volume
330 × 185 × 300 mm
Larger parts on request
Min. Wall Thickness
0.6 mm
0.8 mm recommended
Min. Feature Size
0.2 mm
Subject to geometry
Min. Hole Diameter
0.5 mm
Unsupported through-holes
Surface Finish (as-built)
Ra 0.4–1.6 µm
Bottom face smoother
Post-cure UV exposure
405 nm / 15–60 min
Required for full mechanical properties
Heat Deflection (Standard)
45–60 °C
HDT @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection (Tough)
58–76 °C
HDT @ 0.45 MPa
SLA Design Guidelines
Wall Thickness
- —Minimum 0.6 mm for structural walls; 0.4 mm for thin fins only
- —Recommended 0.8–2.0 mm for general features
- —Uniform wall thickness reduces warping and internal stress
Holes & Channels
- —Min. hole diameter: 0.5 mm (vertical) / 1.0 mm (horizontal)
- —Blind holes: depth ≤ 2× diameter to allow resin drainage
- —Internal channels must have drain holes ≥ 3 mm to flush uncured resin
Overhangs & Supports
- —Overhangs > 45° from vertical require support structures
- —Support contact marks (~0.5 mm) will appear on supported surfaces
- —Orient critical surfaces away from support zones if possible
- —Bridging spans up to 20 mm are achievable without support
Embossed / Engraved Text
- —Min. embossed letter height: 1.0 mm; depth: 0.5 mm
- —Min. engraved letter height: 1.5 mm; depth: 0.3 mm
- —Sans-serif fonts with stroke width ≥ 0.5 mm recommended
Tolerances & Fits
- —Clearance fit: add 0.2–0.3 mm gap between mating parts
- —Press fit: use 0.05–0.1 mm interference
- —Thread inserts recommended for M3 and smaller; print larger threads directly
File & Export Requirements
- —Accepted: STL (binary preferred), STEP, OBJ, 3MF
- —STL chord deviation ≤ 0.01 mm; angle tolerance ≤ 1°
- —All surfaces must form a closed (watertight) mesh — no open shells
- —Max file size: 500 MB; contact us for larger assemblies
Pressure Casting — Technical Specifications
Dimensional Accuracy
±0.1–0.3 mm
Depending on part size and geometry
Max Part Dimensions
600 × 400 × 300 mm
Larger upon request
Min. Wall Thickness
1.0 mm
1.5 mm recommended for best fill
Silicone Mold Life
20–30 cycles
Per silicone tool
Shore Hardness Range
40 Shore A – 85 Shore D
Material-dependent
Surface Finish
Ra 0.8–3.2 µm
Mold texture transferred directly
Casting Pressure
2.5–4.5 bar
Eliminates porosity
Cure Temp / Time
60–70 °C / 30–90 min
Oven-cured for consistent properties
Heat Deflection
55–130 °C
Resin grade dependent
Elongation at Break
5–200 %
Flexible to rigid grades
Pressure Casting Design Guidelines
Draft Angles
- —Minimum 1° draft on all vertical faces to allow clean mold release
- —2–3° recommended for textured or rough surfaces
- —Zero-draft features possible on external undercuts with split mold design
Wall Uniformity
- —Aim for uniform wall thickness — variations > 3× cause sink marks
- —Thick-to-thin transitions should be gradual (blending radius ≥ 2 mm)
- —Core large masses to maintain uniform walls
Undercuts & Parting Lines
- —Silicone molds can accommodate moderate undercuts — flag severe cases
- —Parting line placement affects cosmetic surfaces — specify primary surfaces
- —Avoid undercuts deeper than 15 mm without mold insert
Ribs & Bosses
- —Rib thickness ≤ 0.6× adjacent wall to prevent sink marks
- —Rib height ≤ 3× rib thickness
- —Boss outer diameter = 2× boss wall thickness; add gussets for tall bosses
Surface Finish Callouts
- —SPI A1–A3: glossy — requires polished mold surface
- —SPI B1–B3: semi-gloss (paper/stone polished)
- —SPI C1–C3: matte (stone/grit blasted)
- —SPI D1–D3: textured / rough
Post-Processing Options
| Process | SLA | Pressure Casting | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support Removal | ✓ | — | Included standard |
| Sanding / Smoothing | ✓ | ✓ | 120–2000 grit sequence |
| Primer & Painting | ✓ | ✓ | 2K polyurethane topcoat available |
| Clear Coating | ✓ | ✓ | UV-resistant options |
| Vapor Smoothing | ✓ | — | IPA-based, for SLA only |
| Metal Inserts | ✓ | ✓ | M2–M8 heat-set brass inserts |
| Dyeing | — | ✓ | Integral pigment in casting resin |
| EMI Shielding Coating | ✓ | ✓ | Copper/nickel conductive spray |
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