Written by: Krizia Joy Rivera
3D printing machines are one of the advanced technologies that offers services in manufacturing. It is capable not only for your hobby, but it is useful as part of the business you can start to create a physical model as another source of income!
For this article, we will talk about the two popular 3D printers that most consumers and professionals use in their prints. Let us share with you how FDM and SLA 3D printing work to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these two technologies! It might be confusing, but take it easy because you are on the right track!
What is FDM 3D Printing?
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is a common type of 3D printing technology that sums up layers of material called filament to form a solid model. This spool of filament is placed beside the 3D printer to connect with the print head. See the picture below. Once heated, the melted filament is ejected through the nozzle that moves continuously in X, Y, and Z axes to create the physical object. This technique is user-friendly as long as you have the design that your 3D printer needs to start the process. Just like a piece of cake you sum up together to make it taller whatever you want!
FDM printers and filaments are both affordable for consumers that come with a wide range of choices in materials. Even rainbow colors are easy to find! You can refer to this article for in-depth understanding about filaments: Guide to 3D Printing Filaments: What You Need to Know. The printing process is quick and decent, but you need to know that lower layers of the print may deform due to its weight that may result in warping. However, when the machine is operated well enough, it can develop accurate and strong parts of the model.
Advantages of FDM printing
FDM prints are sturdy that can last for a long time
Materials are affordable and easy to use
Better for customization
Filaments have a wide range of choices in colors and quality
Thepost process method is easy
Disadvantages of FDM printing
Surface layers in FDM prints are clearly visible
Low in details and accuracy
FDM printing requires ventilated environment
Warping, shrinking, and misalignment of layers can occur
Clogging in print head can occur
What is SLA 3D Printing?
SLA (Stereolithography) is another type of 3D printing technology that builds a model layer by layer to form an object. However, this printing process uses liquid resin as the primary material. It is placed inside a tank and the printer will operate a laser that ejects a UV light to harden the liquid resin. The print bed above will slowly rise as it continuously solidifies the model until complete. Imagine it is like your nail polish at your fingernails that uses UV light to dry the liquid faster!
SLA printers can print your object faster than FDM printers and have the finest detail and accuracy to its surfaces. Liquid resin can even print transparent parts while maintaining its density and stability. However, you need to lessen the exposure of the model to the sunlight because it might reduce the strength of the physical object. They are also usually small, and the model is printed from top down, so bigger models are not possible because the height of the printer is limited.
Post processing methods of these two printers are different. FDM prints are usually easy to remove and only require sanding to smoothen the surfaces. If some errors are visible, you can use an acetone compound to fill the holes. However, SLA printers require deep cleaning with isopropyl alcohol to remove excess resins and post-curing under a UV light to strengthen the parts of the model. Either of the two, they require protection and preservation, it is a matter of choice to choose what you want!
Advantages of SLA printers
Prints are higher resolution and better quality
SLA printing can store inside a room environment
Printing speeds are fast
The post process method can be automated
Prints are applied in various industries
Disadvantages of SLA printers
The resin material is highly toxic
SLA printers and resin is quite expensive
The color of resin is limited
Resin prints are sticky, requires effort to remove from the bed
Prints are sensitive to sunlight
FDM and SLA printing both have their own advantages and disadvantages. The level of quality and usability of the two may differ, but it depends on what purpose and application that you want to use your model. If you want a long-lasting print that is cheaper and stronger, FDM prints are the best suited for you. But if you want a model that has accurate print and finer details, SLA prints are the best fit to your needs. It all comes down to your priorities by choosing which of the 3D printing technologies is the most beneficial for you.
So, are you interested in buying 3D printers and materials? Or looking for services to print your model? Your search is finally over! Come and visit us at Super Pixels Facebook and Instagram page and we will offer you what you need to print your model!
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