Question:

Which of the additive manufacturing techniques uses a laser to cure liquid photopolymer resin in a vat?

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Whenever an additive manufacturing question pairs a vat of liquid photopolymer resin with a UV laser cure mechanism, the correct answer is always Stereolithography (SLA).
Updated On: Jul 9, 2026
  • Stereolithography
  • Fused Deposition modelling
  • Selective Laser Sintering
  • Binding Jetting
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Additive manufacturing (3D printing) processes are classified by the raw state of the material used and its consolidation mechanism:
Stereolithography (SLA): Employs a liquid photopolymer resin that cures and solidifies layer-by-layer when exposed to a UV laser beam.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Extrudes a heated thermoplastic filament through a moving nozzle.
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): Uses a laser to fuse powdered material (such as nylon or metal) into a solid structure.
Binder Jetting: Deposits a liquid bonding agent onto layers of powdered material.

Step 1: Match the given prompt parameters to the correct process mechanism.
The question specifies three defining operational characteristics: 1. Raw material state: A liquid photopolymer resin contained in a storage vat. 2. Energy source: A focused laser beam. 3. Transformation mechanism: Liquid-to-solid curing via photo-polymerization. These features describe Stereolithography (SLA), which was the first commercially developed additive manufacturing technique.
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