Build Your Own SLA/SLS

Hi everyone, this is my first post so go easy on me. Lol.
I am currently in the design stage of my dlp printer. But I'm a little stuck on build size.
My question is, is it possible to make a build platform of 500mm x 500 mm x 500 mm. Or there abouts.
Has anyone tackled this before?
would be good to get some ideas on this.

Not really possible with a DLP projector, once you make the image that large you lose too much light power to cure resin quickly, and also the resolution at that size is very low. you can overcome this with using multiple projectors or moving the projector.

LCD would work better, im working on a 400x300x300 machine right now.

Lots of issues to overcome when you go that large, the forces involved to peel parts that large are very great and uniform even lighting is very important.

also shrink of resin is becoming a big big issue.

hp

I built a unit with a large platform (300x300) and still have some work to do on it. Shrinkage is an issue as mentioned. I made some test parts similar to belt buckles about 3" x 5" x .25" and there was enough warpage that they become unusable. A small gear for a RepRap extruder came out really nice though. The other issue with the large platform is releasing from the vat without pealing it off the build plate. This is where I had my biggest issues with shrinkage. I found that cure times were fairly linear based on lumins per unit area. I don't have the info handy but it was roughly 12 sec exposure time.

I hope to be able to get back to this and finish it up before long but who knows...

Yeah no.. lol

my 400x300 machine is 2048x1536 resolution and im working on a with a 9.6" panel that the same resolution. So not blah resolutions. The machine is large, i dont plan on making tiny high detail parts with it, its meant for large parts and the resolution is plenty high for that.

Also, all your other "issues" you listed do not exsist. No light leak, the LED array turns off and on between layers. I dont use UV so no issues with UV transitivity or uv degredation.

It is true that you can adjust the size/resolution of the build with a DLP by moving it. So that a plus there, but there are so many variations between projectors people use its hard to get things consistent. While you might be able to change the bulb into a UV LED on some projectors it isnt easy or even possible with most. Also bulb life on the projectors and cost of bulbs is no where near the life and cost of the LED systems. No issues like that with LCD/LED. The LED array is fully adjustable and scalable. Want a 40" printer, use a 4k LCD tv and a large array!

Hi Glacian,

3d materials has this kind of resin.

hp

Good to know! I'm looking on their site, and they don't have much in the way of specifics, or price. Did I just miss it somewhere?

Glacian, its info that I know about