3D Systems SLA 3500 — Technical data

The SLA 3500 was the mid-size machine of the 3D Systems SLA line around the turn of the millennium. Instead of a gas laser it uses a frequency-tripled Nd:YVO₄ solid-state laser (354.7 nm) that, according to the manual, delivers at least 160 mW at the vat. The build envelope is 350 × 350 × 400 mm; according to a reseller, the exchangeable vat holds around 99 litres and parts of almost 57 kg are possible. The recommended maximum drawing speed is 2.54 m/s. Control runs on Buildstation under Windows NT, with 3D Lightyear preparing the data. Larger siblings were the SLA 5000 and SLA 7000; the machine has long been discontinued.

A used SLA 3500 needs a single-phase 15 A supply at 200–240 V and an air-conditioned room. Key points are laser hours and measured power at the vat, the condition of recoater, elevator and galvo scanners, and the age of the resin. As the control PC and software date from the Windows NT era, take over backups, licences and spare hardware, and check in advance whether a service provider still supports the machine.