---
title: "Carbon DLS 3D Printing | End-Use Resin Parts | OpenSpindle"
description: "Digital Light Synthesis (Carbon DLS) prints isotropic, end-use polymer parts in engineering resins such as EPU, RPU, FPU, and MPU, with injection-molding-like properties."
canonical: https://openspindle.com/capabilities/carbon-dls
---

# Get quotes for Carbon DLS 3D printed parts

Digital Light Synthesis cures parts continuously from a resin pool and heat-cures them for isotropic, durable properties, so DLS parts hold up as end-use components, not just prototypes. Engineering resins like EPU, RPU, FPU, and MPU cover flexible, rigid, and impact-resistant applications. Upload your model and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners.

## How to design for Carbon DLS

DLS parts cure from a resin pool and go through a thermal cure step, which is what gives them isotropic, end-use properties instead of typical layer-based behavior.

| Design rule | Typical spec | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Typical tolerance | +/- 0.1 mm or +/- 0.1% | Confirmed after the thermal cure step, which can shift dimensions slightly. |
| Min wall thickness | 1.0 mm | Thinner walls are prone to distortion during the heat cure. |
| Min feature size | 0.5 mm | Fine detail holds up, but sharp internal corners still concentrate stress. |
| Mechanical properties | isotropic | The thermal cure fuses the part into a uniform matrix, unlike layer-based additive processes. |
| Build size | bounded by the printer and cure oven | Part size is capped by both the resin pool platform and the oven used for the post-cure. |

Typical values from Carbon DLS resin datasheets; a shop confirms against its printer and resin.

## Carbon DLS vs other 3D printing processes

When another process fits better than Carbon DLS.

| Process | Best for | Typical volume | Choose it over Carbon DLS when |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Resin, SLA/DLP](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/resin-3d-printing.md) | Finest detail, cosmetic prototypes | Prototype | You want the finest cosmetic detail and standard resins are acceptable; end-use durability is not required. Standard resins are more brittle than DLS engineering resins. |
| [SLS](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing.md) | Nylon end-use parts, no supports | Low-volume production | You want tough nylon end-use parts and do not need the elastomeric or urethane-like properties DLS resins offer. |
| [Injection Molding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/injection-molding.md) | High-volume identical parts | 1,000+ | You are past the volume where a tool pays for itself and want the lowest per-part cost on identical parts. |

## Industries Served

- Consumer products
- Medical devices
- Automotive
- Sporting goods
- Robotics

Carbon DLS shows up wherever teams need end-use polymer parts with real mechanical properties, not just a prototype look.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Carbon DLS?

Carbon Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) is a 3D printing process that projects light through an oxygen-permeable window into a pool of liquid resin, growing a part continuously rather than layer by layer. Parts then go through a thermal cure that sets their final mechanical properties.

### How is Carbon DLS different from standard SLA resin?

Standard SLA and DLP cure resin layer by layer and are optimized for surface finish and fine detail on prototypes. Carbon DLS grows parts continuously and heat-cures them afterward, which produces isotropic, engineering-grade properties closer to injection-molded plastic, making DLS parts suitable for end use.

### What materials does Carbon DLS use?

Carbon DLS runs a family of engineering resins, including EPU (elastomeric polyurethane) for flexible, rubber-like parts, RPU (rigid polyurethane) for tough impact-resistant parts, FPU (flexible polyurethane) for durable flexible parts, and MPU (medical-grade polyurethane) for biocompatible applications.

### Are Carbon DLS parts suitable for end use?

Yes. The thermal cure step gives DLS parts isotropic mechanical properties, unlike most additive processes where strength varies by print direction. That is why DLS is used for functional, end-use components rather than only visual prototypes.

### Carbon DLS vs injection molding: which should I use?

Carbon DLS needs no tooling, so it works well from prototype through lower production volumes with injection-molding-like material properties. Injection molding still wins on per-part cost once volume is high enough to amortize a mold, typically in the thousands of identical parts.

## Other Capabilities

- [Resin (SLA/DLP) 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/resin-3d-printing.md)
- [SLS 3D Printing](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/sls-3d-printing.md)
- [3D Printing (overview)](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/3d-printing.md)
- [Injection Molding](https://openspindle.com/capabilities/injection-molding.md)

## Get Carbon DLS quotes

Upload your model and we'll source competitive quotes from qualified manufacturing partners for end-use Carbon DLS parts.