Introducing SLA Printing at Tempus 3D with the Formlabs 3BL

We’re excited to share that SLA printing is soon available at Tempus 3D! We’ve added a Formlabs 3BL to our production lineup, expanding the range of high-quality parts we can offer and giving you more options for detailed, precision work. 

Whether you need smooth surface finishes, fine features, or functional prototypes that closely match final products, SLA is a powerful addition to your manufacturing toolkit. 

What Is SLA Printing? 

SLA, or stereolithography, is a resin-based 3D printing technology that uses a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic. It’s known for its ability to produce highly detailed parts with extremely smooth surfaces and sharp features. 

Unlike powder-based processes like our MJF or SLS, SLA parts come off the printer with a polished appearance and minimal layer lines. This makes it a go-to solution for parts where aesthetics and precision matter. 

What SLA Is Best For 

SLA is ideal when you need: 

• Fine details and smooth surfaces that mimic injection-molded plastic 

• Tight dimensional tolerances on small or complex parts 

• Prototypes with a high-quality look and feel 

• Mold masters, tooling, and casting patterns 

• Dental, medical, or wearable components with biocompatibility 

  
  

While the part strength of SLA resins varies, some formulations are well suited for mechanical use, while others focus on appearance, flexibility, or heat resistance. We’ll be releasing our full resin list soon! 

Why We Chose the Formlabs 3BL 

The Formlabs 3BL is built for industrial-scale SLA printing, offering a large build volume and exceptional part accuracy. It’s designed to handle production-grade applications while maintaining the quality and reliability that Formlabs is known for. 

With the 3BL, we can produce everything from engineering prototypes to custom end-use parts with professional-quality results. 

We are very excited to add this machine to our fleet, and look forward to printing your products! 

What This Means for You 

Adding SLA to our capabilities means we can offer: 

• More options for prototyping and low-volume production 

• Faster lead times for highly detailed parts 

• Greater flexibility when appearance and finish are a top priority 

• Specialized materials for medical, dental, and casting applications 

  
  

Keep a close eye on our Instant Quote tool to see when we official launch availability!