ABS-like
Photopolymer resin engineered to replicate the properties of ABS. High rigidity and good machinability, making it ideal for functional prototypes and technical components.
DLP 3D Printing service
- Wide range of high-resolution resins
- ISO 9001:2015
Digital Light Processing (DLP) is an advanced Additive Manufacturing technology
It uses a digital light projector to cure photopolymer resin layer by layer. This process enables the production of high-resolution parts with fine details, smooth surfaces, and excellent mechanical properties. DLP is widely used in industries requiring precision, such as medical, automotive, and consumer goods manufacturing.
DLP 3D printing use cases
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Connectors, clips, and small technical housings
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Microcomponents and miniaturised parts
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Components with channels and very fine details
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Insulators and components for electrical applications
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Small jigs and tooling
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Sacrificial patterns for investment casting
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Components in high-temperature resins
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Small production runs of precision technical parts
Materials for DLP 3D printing
Resins
Rubber-like
Flexible material with rubber-like properties, ideal for gaskets, shock-absorbing components and elastomeric prototypes.
High Temp
Heat-resistant resin designed for parts exposed to elevated temperatures, such as engine components and moulds.
Medical
Biocompatible resin for medical applications, including prostheses, medical devices and customised components.
Our team of experts is at your disposal
Our engineers support you in material selection, optimising the part for metal 3D printing, and defining the required post-processes and inspections.
Opzioni di finitura per DLP
Painting
Aesthetic finish and part protection with custom painting on request.
Final result:
- Uniform aesthetic finish
- Customisable colour
- Greater surface protection
Comparison with other technologies
| Technology | Max. size | Min. detail size | Min. wall thickness | Tolerance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMLS | 500×280×340 mm | 0.6-0.8 mm | 0.22 mm | ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm) | Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive. |
| SLS Plastic | 680×380×540 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.7-1.3 mm | ±0.3% (±0.3mm) | Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical. |
| SLA Plastic | 1350×750×500 mm | 0.2-0.5 mm | 1-3 mm | ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm) | Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry. |
| MJF Plastic | 380×284×380 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3-0.5 mm | ±0.3% (±0.2 mm) | Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods. |
| Polyjet Plastic | 490×380×200 mm | 1.2-2 mm | 1 mm | ±0.1% | Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics. |
| FDM Plastic | 914×690×914 mm | 1.2-1.5 mm | 1.5 mm | ±0.5% (±0.5 mm) | Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products. |
| DLP Plastic | 510×280×350 mm | 0.5 mm | 1 mm | ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm | Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes. |
| Large Scale Plastic | 2500×2500×4000 mm | 3 mm | — | ±5 mm/m | Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity. |
| DED | 1200×800×600 mm | — | — | — | Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing. |
| Binder Jet | 430×310×150 mm | — | — | ±3% | Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery. |
Technology
DMLS
- Max. size
- 500×280×340 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.6-0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.22 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm)
Description
Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive.
Technology
SLS
Plastic- Max. size
- 680×380×540 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.7-1.3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.3mm)
Description
Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical.
Technology
SLA
Plastic- Max. size
- 1350×750×500 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.2-0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1-3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm)
Description
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry.
Technology
MJF
Plastic- Max. size
- 380×284×380 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.3-0.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.2 mm)
Description
Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods.
Technology
Polyjet
Plastic- Max. size
- 490×380×200 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-2 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.1%
Description
Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics.
Technology
FDM
Plastic- Max. size
- 914×690×914 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-1.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.5% (±0.5 mm)
Description
Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products.
Technology
DLP
Plastic- Max. size
- 510×280×350 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm
Description
Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes.
Technology
Large Scale
Plastic- Max. size
- 2500×2500×4000 mm
- Min. detail size
- 3 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±5 mm/m
Description
Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity.
Technology
DED
- Max. size
- 1200×800×600 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- —
Description
Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing.
Technology
Binder Jet
- Max. size
- 430×310×150 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±3%
Description
Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery.
DLP technology pros and cons
Advantages
- Exceptional surface quality and fine details.
- High resolution and accuracy (sharper details).
- High-speed production with precise curing.
- Ability to print transparent components.
- Isotropy in mechanical properties.
- Suitable for medical and industrial applications.
Points to consider
- More fragile than thermoplastic-based 3D printing.
- Limited material options compared to SLS or FDM.
- Limited UV resistance.
- Durability: photopolymers are not stable over time.
- Post-processing (support removal, washing, curing).
- Non-recyclable (thermosetting polymers).
DLP 3D printing FAQ
What is the difference between DLP and SLA 3D printing?
DLP and SLA are both photopolymerisation-based 3D printing technologies that use photosensitive liquid resins, but they differ in the exposure system. DLP (Digital Light Processing) cures each layer by digitally projecting its image, while SLA (Stereolithography) uses a laser that follows the geometry of the component. DLP is particularly suitable for small, detailed components and jobs containing multiple parts within the same build area. SLA may be preferable for larger components or specific surface and material requirements. MadeInAdd selects the technology according to size, accuracy, productivity, resin, and final part requirements.
How accurate is DLP 3D printing?
In MadeInAdd configurations, DLP 3D printing offers an indicative minimum feature size of around 0.5 mm and wall thicknesses of around 1 mm. The reference tolerance is ±0.30 mm for dimensions below 100 mm and ±0.3% for dimensions above 100 mm. The maximum build volume is 510 × 280 × 350 mm. Actual accuracy depends on geometry, orientation, and the material used. For fits, mating features, and functional dimensions, component manufacturability should therefore be verified and any subsequent finishing or machining requirements assessed.
What materials can be used with DLP 3D printing?
DLP 3D printing uses photopolymer resins formulated for different aesthetic and functional requirements. The MadeInAdd portfolio includes general-purpose resins, EPU, high-HDT materials, and ceramic-based formulations. Resin selection depends on properties such as rigidity, elasticity, operating temperature, level of detail, and surface finish. The material should therefore be selected according to the actual use of the component, considering the technology, resin, and functional requirements together.
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