SLA stands for stereolithography. A stereolithography machine creates a 3-dimensional solid part from a CAD model using the information provided in an SLA (STL) file. This file can be generated from within Creo Parametric by choosing Interface, Export, STL in both part and assembly modes.

While creating the SLA file, Creo Parametric translates the solid part or assembly into surfaces comprised of small polygons. The new model information is then stored in a text file that is read by the SLA machine.

If it is not possible to generate the SLA (STL) information file, Creo Parametric normally returns one of the following errors in its message window:

In order for Creo ModelCHECK to determine if it is possible to create an STL file of your model, it attempts to create one. For this reason, you may see the above error messages in Creo Parametric's message window while running Creo ModelCHECK.

Problems with SLA generally stem from design flaws like small gaps in surfaces. They can sometimes be overcome by reducing the chord height (the straight line which approximates the surface topology). If this does not work, you will have to investigate the model for flaws. Start by looking for geometry checks. If there are none, try to generate an STL file from the Interface menu. Creo Parametric will not be able to generate the file, but it will go into a mode which allows you to highlight the problem areas where surfaces can not be triangulated.