The many different types of 3D printing used for 3D Printers, also originally known as additive manufacturing, is increasing in popularity for cost effective prototyping and short run parts. Below are the different types of 3D printers used for 3D printing;
1) Digital Light Processing (DLP)
2) Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
3) Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
4) Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
5) Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
6) Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
7) Stereolithography (SLA)
What is Digital Light Processing (DLP); is a similar process to stereolithography (SLA) in that it is a 3D printing process that works with photopolymers. The major difference is the light source. DLP uses a more conventional light source, such as an arc lamp with a liquid crystal display panel, which is applied to the entire surface of the vat of liquid resin in a single pass, generally making it faster than stereolithography (SLA). The Digital Light Processing (DLP) offers relative quicker 3D printing prototyping capabilities with decent accuracy and a smoother surface finish than standard desktop Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D Printers.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; liquid to plastic
USE; to make plastic 3d printed parts
COST; usually a more expensive process than using printers such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
RECOMMENDATION; use when a better quality 3d plastic print is needed such as when higher quality prototype product presentation is required
What is Electron Beam Melting (EBM); is similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), as they both print from a powder from the 3D printer’s powder bed. This powder is then deposited in the form of thin layers that are preheated and melted by the “Electron Beam” layer by layer to create usually a metal part, titanium for example. A high energy beam consisting of electrons (rather than photons in laser sintering) is used to solidify the metal. These solidified layers are then built up until the completed part is finished.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; powder to metal
USE; to make metal 3d printed parts
COST; much more expensive process than using plastic 3d printers such as Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
RECOMMENDATION; use the lower cost 3d printing processes for first run prototypes then when prototype design is perfected use Electron Beam Melting / EBM
What is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM); is the most popular for desktop 3D printers. Fused Deposition Modeling / FDM printers use a thermoplastic filament, which is heated to its high heat melting point and then extruded through a nozzle layer by layer until a three dimensional object is built up.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; plastic and infused plastics
USE; to make plastic and infused plastic printed parts
COST; as far as 3d printing is concerned this is usually the the least expensive 3d printing process
RECOMMENDATION; use when low cost 3d prints are required or when for first run test prototypes
What is Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM); is a 3D printing process that builds upon layers of plastic or paper that are fused or laminated together using heat and pressure and then cut to the desired shape with a computer controlled blade or laser.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; thin layers of plastic or paper
USE; to make plastic or paper plastic printed parts
COST; as far as 3d printed is concerned this is a low cost process
RECOMMENDATION; use when low cost 3d prints are required or for first run test prototypes when Fused Deposition Modeling / FDM is not readily available
What is Selective Laser Melting (SLM); is a process that uses a high power density laser to melt and fuse metallic powders together and is similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process has the ability to fully melt the metal material into a solid three dimensional part.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; metal powders to solid 3d printed metal
USE; to make better quality 3d printed metal parts
COST; much more expensive process than using plastic 3d printers such as Fused Deposition Modeling
RECOMMENDATION; use the lower cost 3d printing processes for first run prototypes then when prototype design is perfected use Selective Laser Melting / SLM
What is Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS); is a process that uses a laser to sinter powders such nylon/polyamide together and is similar to Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). The Selective Laser Sintering (SLM) process has the ability to bind the the material into a solid three dimensional part. The big difference here is this 3D printing process sinters the material instead of melting it which enables finished properties such as crystal structures and porosity to exist.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; most prevalant is nylon/polyamide
USE; to make highly specialized parts
COST; much more expensive process than using plastic 3d printers such as Fused Deposition Modeling / FDM
RECOMMENDATION; if possible use the lower cost 3d printing processes for first run prototypes then when prototype design is perfected use Selective Laser Melting / SLM
What is Stereolithography (SLA); is a process in which a tank is filled with liquid plastic photo-polymer resin and then a flat build platform slowly lowers into the tank and then very slowly rises as one thin liquid resin layer of the design is traced out by a UV laser. The layer dries hard as the UV Light passes and the build process is repeated as the build platform continues raises until the part is completed.
PRIMARY MATERIAL; liquid resin to plastic
USE; to make plastic 3d printed parts
COST; usually a more expensive process than using printers such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
RECOMMENDATION; use when a better quality 3d plastic print is needed such as when higher quality prototype product presentation is required
3D Print With Many Materials
3D print material may include plastics, rubber, composites, carbon fiber, metal, steel, aluminum and paper, wood like material. Using additive manufacturing and the latest in 3D print technology almost anything prototype you need can be 3D printed.
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