Digital LightProcessing(DLP)

Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a resin-based 3D printing technology that uses a digital projector to cure entire layers of liquid photopolymer at once, enabling high-speed and high-resolution printing. It excels at producing detailed, smooth-surfaced parts – ideal for prototypes, miniatures, dental models, and jewelry.

DLP offers excellent accuracy and surface quality, though parts can be brittle and require post-curing. It’s best suited for applications needing fine detail over mechanical strength.

How it works

1. A 3D model is sliced into layers and loaded into the printer’s software.

2. Liquid photopolymer resin fills a transparent vat.

3. A digital light projector cures each layer with UV light at once.

4. The build platform lifts after each layer to let resin flow underneath.

5. The process repeats layer by layer, quickly building the object with high detail.

6. Once complete, the part is removed from the build platform and the support structures are removed.

7. Parts are washed (usually in isopropyl alcohol) and UV-cured to achieve full strength.

Key advantages

High resolution and detail

Excellent surface finish

Efficient for small batch production

Wide resin variety

Printer

Elegoo Saturn 4Ultra

  • Printing speed max. 150 mm/h
  • Layer thickness 0.01-0.2 mm
  • XY resolution 19×24μm(11520×5120)
  • Build volume 218.88 x 122.88 x 220 mm³

Nexa XiP Pro

  • LCD resolution 7K (6480 x 3600)
  • Pixel size 46 µm
  • Print resolution 25 µm – 200 µm
  • Build volume 19.5 l
  • Build dimension up to 292 x 163 x 410 mm
Previous work