Accelerating Product Development with mSLA: High-Quality Parts Without the Wait
Precision, speed, and surface quality are critical to maintaining a competitive edge. While many people are familiar with FDM and SLS technologies, resin-based 3D printing—specifically masked stereolithography (mSLA)—is rapidly gaining traction across industries for its unique ability to produce highly detailed, durable, and cost-effective parts.
At Tronix3D, our advanced mSLA capabilities are optimized for small- to mid-sized components that require tight tolerances, smooth surface finishes, and rapid turnaround. Whether you're prototyping medical devices, producing electronic enclosures, or crafting end-use components, mSLA offers powerful advantages.
What is mSLA 3D Printing?
Masked Stereolithography (mSLA) is a type of vat photopolymerization in which a UV light source cures resin layer-by-layer through an LCD screen mask. Unlike SLA, which uses a single-point laser, mSLA exposes an entire layer at once, significantly increasing speed while maintaining exceptional detail resolution.
Technical Benefits of mSLA
1. Superior Surface Finish and Resolution
mSLA delivers exceptional print quality, achieving feature resolutions as fine as 35 microns and layer heights as low as 25 microns. This makes it ideal for high-detail prototypes and production parts where aesthetics and dimensional accuracy matter.
2. High Throughput with 3D Stacking
At Tronix3D, our production workflow incorporates optimized 3D stacking strategies, allowing multiple parts to be printed simultaneously within the same build volume. This maximizes throughput, reduces per-part cost, and supports just-in-time production needs.
3. Advanced Material Options
We offer a wide range of engineering-grade resins including:
Tough Resins: Ideal for jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes
Clear Resins: Perfect for lenses, casings, and fluidic devices
Flexible Resins: For overmolds, gaskets, and wearable components
High-Temp Resins: Suitable for under-the-hood or high-heat applications This versatility enables mSLA to meet a wide spectrum of mechanical, thermal, and optical performance requirements.
4. Fast Turnaround Times
Because mSLA cures an entire layer simultaneously, it provides significantly faster print times than laser-based systems for certain geometries. Combined with Tronix3D’s streamlined post-processing workflows, this means customers can receive functional parts in as little as 24–48 hours.
5. Reduced Post-Processing Requirements
Thanks to the fine layer height and minimal support structures required, mSLA parts typically need less sanding and surface treatment compared to FDM or SLS prints, saving time and improving consistency in batch production.
Industry Use Cases for Resin-Based mSLA
Medical & Dental: Create highly accurate anatomical models, surgical guides, and low-run custom devices with biocompatible and sterilizable materials.
Electronics: Print durable enclosures, housings, and brackets with excellent resolution to accommodate fine details and complex internal features.
Consumer Goods: Develop aesthetically pleasing, functional prototypes for packaging, product design, and user testing.
Robotics: Produce lightweight components with smooth surface finish and precise tolerances for small robotic assemblies.
Automotive: Use mSLA for low-volume production of knobs, vents, bezels, and other interior components that require tight cosmetic standards.
When to Choose mSLA Over Other Technologies
If your project demands exceptional detail, superior surface finish, or transparent/flexible materials, mSLA is likely your best fit. It excels in low- to mid-volume runs, where traditional molding may be cost-prohibitive and where FDM or SLS may not meet resolution needs.
Partner with Tronix3D for High-Performance Resin Printing
At Tronix3D, we don't just print parts—we deliver engineered solutions. Our team of additive manufacturing specialists will help you identify the right materials, orientations, and finishing options to meet your project’s technical and commercial goals. Whether you’re a product designer, R&D engineer, or operations manager, our mSLA capabilities can support your workflow from concept to production.
Ready to experience the benefits of mSLA 3D printing for your next project? Contact Tronix3D to speak with an expert and explore how resin-based additive manufacturing can elevate your designs.
Image credit: Nexa3D
