Plastic 3D printing technology has rapidly evolved, offering users a wide variety of options with different technologies. Depending on the specific application, each type of plastic 3D printing technology has its own advantages and disadvantages.

In this article, we will rank the different plastic 3D printing technologies based on technical factors such as accuracy, print speed, cost, and other aspects like popularity and ease of use.

1. What is Plastic 3D Printing?

Plastic 3D printing is the process of using 3D printing technologies to create objects from thermoplastic or liquid resin materials. By stacking consecutive layers of plastic, 3D printers can produce items from digital designs, including prototypes, mechanical components, medical parts like prosthetics, anatomical models, educational tools, shoe molds, accessories, and jewelry in the fashion industry.

2. How Many Types of Plastic 3D Printing Technologies Are There?

Currently, there are several popular plastic 3D printing technologies, including FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), SLA (Stereolithography), SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), DLP (Digital Light Processing), and PolyJet. Each technology has unique characteristics and applications, suited to different requirements for accuracy, cost, and print speed.

2.1. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

2.1.1. Working Principle

FDM 3D printing technology uses thermoplastic filaments. The FDM printer melts the plastic and extrudes it layer by layer onto the build plate, following a pre-designed digital model.

2.1.2. Technical Advantages

- Low cost: FDM is the most common and affordable plastic 3D printing technology, both in terms of printers and material costs.

- Ease of use: FDM printers are easy to operate, maintain, and are suitable for beginners.

- Variety of materials: Capable of printing with various plastics like PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and even composite materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics.

2.1.3. Technical Disadvantages

- Lower accuracy: Due to thicker print layers (typically 100 to 300 microns), small details may not be rendered with precision.

- Rough surface: FDM prints often have visible layer lines, requiring post-processing for a smoother finish.

2.1.4. Applications

FDM is ideal for rapid prototyping and printing large objects that do not require high precision. It is commonly used for mechanical models, test samples, and everyday items.

2.1.5. FDM 3D Printer: MD-400D

The MD-400D independent dual-extruder 3D printer is designed for businesses, allowing the production of complex prototypes and doubling productivity. With the IDEX system, the printer features two separate extruders that move independently along the X-axis, enabling the simultaneous printing of two models, cutting print time in half. Its large build volume of 400 x 400 x 400mm accommodates large-sized prints. Additionally, it includes mirror and copy modes to further optimize print time and reduce waiting time by 50%.

Learn more:

TOP 5 Things to Know About FDM 3D Printing Technology

Understanding FDM 3D Printing and the Best Printers to Buy in 2024

Mingda, BigRep, Raise3D – Which FDM 3D Printer Brand Is Right for Industry?

 Get expert consultation on FDM 3D printers 

 

2.2. SLA (Stereolithography)

2.2.1. Working Principle

SLA (Stereolithography) is a 3D printing technology that uses a laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer inside a resin vat.

2.2.2. Technical Advantages

- High accuracy: SLA can print at a very high resolution, with layer thicknesses ranging from 25 to 100 microns, allowing for extremely precise details.

- Smooth surface finish: SLA-printed parts have very smooth surfaces, often requiring little to no post-processing.

2.2.3. Technical Disadvantages

- High cost: SLA printers and resin materials are significantly more expensive than FDM.

- Slower print speed: SLA tends to print slower, especially for large models.

- Toxic resin: Resin is a toxic material that must be handled carefully, including proper storage and post-printing curing.

2.2.4. Applications

SLA is ideal for printing small, high-precision parts such as jewelry, dental models, and complex mechanical components. It is well-suited for industries that require high-detail prototypes and smooth surface finishes.

2.2.5. SLA 3D Printer: Formlabs Form 1+

Formlabs Form 1+ is the world’s first affordable SLA printer, capable of producing high-quality, high-resolution products. The printer offers relatively fast print speeds and allows users to easily control the printing process. Additionally, it excels at printing small components, and removing printed parts from the machine is considered convenient by users.

Learn more: What Is SLA 3D Printing (Stereolithography)?

2.3. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)

2.3.1. Working Principle

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) is a 3D printing technology that uses a laser to sinter powder materials, typically nylon or polyamide, into solid layers to form a 3D model.

2.3.2. Technical Advantages

- High mechanical strength: SLS-printed parts are much stronger than those printed with FDM or SLA, due to the sintered powder structure.

- No need for support structures: The powder acts as a natural support material, eliminating the need for additional supports like in FDM and SLA.

2.3.3. Technical Disadvantages

- High cost: SLS printers are expensive, and the powder materials used are also costly.

- Rough surface finish: SLS-printed parts often have a rough surface and may require post-processing.

2.3.4. Applications

SLS is commonly used for producing durable mechanical parts, such as gears or high-performance plastic components. It is suitable for small-scale production and complex parts with intricate geometries.

2.3.5. SLS 3D Printer: Formlabs Fuse 1

The Formlabs Fuse 1 is highly regarded by engineers for its compact design and ability to recycle up to 70% of the powder. It can print with a minimum layer thickness of 0.1 mm and has a build volume of 165 x 165 x 320mm, enabling continuous production.

2.4. DLP (Digital Light Processing)

2.4.1. Working Principle

DLP (Digital Light Processing) is a 3D printing technology that uses a projector to cure layers of resin, similar to SLA, but instead of a laser, it uses light projected through a screen.

2.4.2. Technical Advantages

- Fast print speed: DLP can print faster than SLA because entire layers of resin are cured at once instead of point by point.

- High detail: Like SLA, DLP achieves high accuracy, especially for small details.

2.4.3. Technical Disadvantages

- High cost: DLP printers and materials are also expensive.

- Post-processing required: Printed resin parts must undergo further processing to complete the curing and ensure they are safe to use.

2.4.4. Applications

DLP is ideal for printing small, detailed parts such as dental models, jewelry, and artistic models.

2.4.5. DLP 3D Printer: Raise3D DF2

Raise3D DF2 is a comprehensive DLP 3D printer known for its fast printing speed, smooth surface finish, intricate details, and exceptional reliability. It is optimized for technical prototyping, low-volume production, and small-batch manufacturing with high-performance engineering resins. Its integrated RFID technology ensures traceability throughout the printing, washing, and curing process, reducing labor time and costs.

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2.5. PolyJet

2.5.1. Working Principle

PolyJet is a 3D printing technology that jets droplets of liquid photopolymer and cures them instantly using UV light. This technology allows for multi-material and multi-color printing in a single print job.

2.5.2. Technical Advantages

- Multi-material printing: PolyJet can print with various materials and colors within a single model, allowing for highly complex structures.

- Smooth and precise surface finish: PolyJet prints at high resolution, similar to SLA and DLP, with a very smooth surface finish.

2.5.3. Technical Disadvantages

- Extremely high cost: PolyJet is one of the most expensive 3D printing technologies, both in terms of printers and materials.

- Slower print speed: Despite its multi-material capability, PolyJet prints more slowly than FDM or DLP.

2.5.4. Applications

PolyJet is ideal for creating highly complex 3D models that require a combination of multiple materials and colors, such as in footwear production, medical modeling, and premium product design.

2.5.5. PolyJet 3D Printer: Stratasys J750/J735

The Stratasys J750/J735 3D printers allow you to optimize and economize the process of producing models from different materials on the same build tray, in the same print job. With these printers, you can assign colors to parts of a model during the design stage (using CAD software), save the model as a VRML file, and print the model with the desired colors.

3. Ranking Based on Technical Factors and Applications

Below is a comparison table of the plastic 3D printing technologies based on factors such as accuracy, print speed, cost, surface quality, materials used, and primary applications.

TechnologyAccuracyPrint SpeedCostSurface QualityMaterials UsedMain Applications
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)Low to MediumFastLowRough, visible layersPLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, carbon fiberRapid prototyping, mechanical models, large parts without high precision needs
SLA (Stereolithography)Very HighSlowHighSmooth, fine detailsPhotopolymer resinJewelry, dental models, high-detail mechanical components, applications with smooth surfaces
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)Medium to HighModerateHighRoughNylon, polyamide, engineering powdersStrong mechanical parts, complex structures, small-scale production
DLP (Digital Light Processing)HighFaster than SLAHighSmoothPhotopolymer resinDental models, small detailed parts, jewelry, artistic models
PolyJetVery HighSlowVery HighVery smooth, multi-colorMulti-material photopolymerComplex multi-material models, footwear molds, premium design, medical models

3.1. FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

FDM is the most popular 3D printing technology, particularly suitable for beginners and those with limited budgets. With low costs for both equipment and materials, FDM is highly accessible and easy to operate. FDM works by extruding thermoplastic layer by layer to build the model.

3.2. SLA (Stereolithography)

SLA is one of the most reliable plastic 3D printing technologies and excels in producing high-precision products with smooth surfaces. SLA uses a laser to cure liquid resin layer by layer, allowing for the creation of extremely detailed and complex parts.

3.3. SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)

SLS stands out for its ability to print parts with high mechanical strength and without the need for support structures. This technology uses a laser to sinter powder materials, such as nylon or polyamide, into solid layers, making it suitable for strong and durable parts.

3.4. DLP (Digital Light Processing)

DLP is similar to SLA but uses a digital light source to cure the resin layers. This results in faster print times compared to SLA while maintaining high accuracy and smooth surface quality.

3.5. PolyJet

PolyJet is one of the most advanced plastic 3D printing technologies, allowing multi-material and multi-color printing in a single job. The technology jets layers of liquid photopolymer, which are cured instantly with UV light, enabling highly complex models with exceptional detail.

Each technology has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice depends on the specific requirements of each application. Careful consideration of factors such as technical capabilities, cost, and intended use will help guide the decision to invest in the most suitable 3D printing technology.

For detailed consultation or inquiries about 3D printing solutions, contact Vinnotek today for tailored recommendations and optimal solutions for your business needs!


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