Scan Lenses for Stereolithography

Stereolithography is an additive manufacturing process which is particularly suitable for the production of especially filigree components due to its high precision. In this process the component is created by a laser curing of a liquid plastic layer by layer. A scan lens is required to focus the laser at specific positions resulting in curing at the corresponding location. In order to be able to manufacture large components the lens must have an extended scan field. So non-telecentric lenses are most suitable for such applications. The larger the free input beam diameter, the smaller is the minimum achievable focus diameter and the more accurately is the manufacturing in the end. A focus diameter of less than 80 µm is ideal for enabling very fine structures.