Low Cost Printer for DLP Stereolithography

A general research direction of stereolithography based on digital light processing (DLP) is to reduce the production time and to increase manufacturing accuracy. Compared to fused deposition modelling (FDM) machines, machines for DLP stereolithography are expensive andthus not available to a broad range of users as it is the case with FDM 3D printers. Comparing technologies, DLP stereolithography offers quicker and more accurate production. In this paper, performances of a low cost DLP stereolithographic printer is presented. Three main challenges are treated: an uneven illumination of commercial DLP projectors, a direction of illumination and a selection of optimal 3D printing parameters. Uneven illumination of DLP projector results in smaller usable working area and poor printing quality. The problem is solved by implementing an appropriate software mask, thus the product quality is not influenced by its position on a working table. The direction of illumination has a key role in DLP stereolithography. It is shown that constrained surface (illumination through a transparent bottom of the vat) gives better 3D printing accuracy compared to free surface (illumination of the photopolymer surface) stereolithography. To further improve the product quality, the optimal process parameters are determined. Using the Taguchi based surface response methodology optimal process parameters are defined and by using them, the deviation of the actual dimensions from the specified dimensions is less than 80 μm.