3D Printing Technologies 101
With the ever increasing number of 3D printing technologies, it becomes harder and harder to know which ones work the best for your application.
Generally speaking, there are 3 types of “affordable” printing technologies. These are listed below with quick points on when to use them over others. If you’re interested in learning much more about 3D printing, its history, and different technologies, check out the “Guide to 3D Printing” links below that I wrote back when I was working at MistyWest.
FDM/FFF
When You need good impact and temperature resistance
When you want to use heat set inserts
when surface finish is not a concern
when you need the cheapest prototyping option
when you can live with anisotropy
SLA
When you want the smoothest surface finish and highest resolution
when poorer impact and heat resistance is acceptable
when you need optical clarity
When you need isotropic parts that are strong in all directions
SLS
When you need good surface finish but also strong impact and heat resistance
when you can live with a grainy texture
when you want to dye parts different colors
When you need isotropic parts that are strong in all directions
When you want to use heat set inserts