2025
We’re developing a fully automated SLA print cell - from platform swapping to post-processing. And we’re just getting started.
Case Study
Demo
Overview
Stereolithography is ready for automation, and we’re laying the foundation to make it practical, scalable, and production-ready.
Over the past 10 months, we’ve spoken with industry experts, researchers, and manufacturers using SLA for end-use parts. A clear pattern emerged: while SLA delivers unmatched surface quality and dimensional accuracy, the manual post-processing steps remain a bottleneck. We decided to prototype an automated solution using the Formlabs Form 4 as our platform—and early results are promising.
Problem
SLA Delivers Quality but Still Depends on Manual Labor
SLA printing is widely recognized as one of the most mature additive technologies for functional, end-use parts. But for all its advantages, its reliance on human operators—especially during post-processing—limits throughput, consistency, and scalability. Platform removal, washing, curing, and resin handling all introduce points of friction that make it hard to build a true 24/7 SLA workflow.
Solution
Prototyping an Automated SLA Workflow, Starting with the Essentials
We developed a proof-of-concept cell around the Formlabs Form 4. The current system automatically:
Swaps the build platform after each print
Transfers the printed part to a wash station
Prepares the machine for the next job
To interact reliably with SLA parts, we designed custom gripper jaws and printed them using the Form 4 itself. The results exceeded expectations—fine detail, high surface quality, and excellent mechanical fit. The project became a strong demonstration of SLA printing for functional automation components.
Next on our roadmap is automated curing, optimized for support-free parts. We're also exploring material swapping and sealed handling for sensitive resins. All mechanical and software systems are built to integrate seamlessly with existing print farms.
Conclusion
SLA Automation Is Closer Than You Think
With the MVP already running, we’re one step closer to building a fully automated SLA print cell that supports real production environments. By eliminating manual steps, we open the door to more predictable uptime, faster throughput, and lower labor cost per part. We’ll keep improving—your feedback is welcome.
What would you want to see in an automated SLA setup?
If you're facing throughput challenges or planning your next production ramp — let’s talk. We work with hardware teams who build things that matter, and need their automation to move fast and perform flawlessly.