Stereolithography

Stereolithography (STL or SLA) is a rapid prototyping manufacturing process in which a workpiece is built up layer by layer using computer-generated CAD data. This takes place in a bath filled with the basic monomers of a light-sensitive plastic. The object is created from bottom to top by lowering it step by step deeper into the liquid and then hardening the next upper layer with the laser.

Synonyms: STL, SLA