“Not Your Grandma’s SLA: The Story of Stereolithography” highlights the 30+ year evolution of Stereolithography (SLA) — the first commercially available 3D printing technology. From Chuck Hull’s 1986 patent and the debut of the SLA-1 printer to modern advancements like Stratasys’s NEO800+, the piece traces how SLA evolved from simple photopolymers and basic CAD to today’s high-precision, biocompatible materials and advanced control software. Stratasys Direct, formed by early industry pioneers (Solid Concepts, RedEye, and Harvest Technologies), continues to push the limits of accuracy, speed, and finish quality in additive manufacturing applications across industries.
