✅ Summary

In this lesson, you’ll explore the major types of 3D printing technologies, how they work, and where they are commonly used. Each technology has unique strengths and ideal use cases—from prototyping to industrial production. Understanding these methods will help you choose the right one for your needs.

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Identify and describe the core 3D printing technologies: FDM, SLA, SLS, and more

• Compare the differences between filament, resin, and powder-based printing

• Match each printing technology with its ideal materials and use cases

• Understand how printing methods impact resolution, strength, and cost

📘 Lesson Content

🔧 1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

How It Works:
FDM printers extrude melted thermoplastic filament through a heated nozzle, depositing material layer by layer to build the object.

Materials Used:
PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, Nylon

Pros:

• Affordable and widely accessible

• Simple to operate and maintain

• Good for prototyping and hobbyist use

Cons:

• Limited detail compared to resin or powder-based printers

• May require support structures

• Visible layer lines

Best For:

• Education, functional prototyping, household items, basic mechanical parts

🧪 2. Stereolithography (SLA)

How It Works:
SLA uses an ultraviolet (UV) laser to cure photosensitive resin in a vat, layer by layer.

Materials Used:
Liquid photopolymer resins (standard, tough, flexible, castable)

Pros:

• High-resolution prints with smooth surfaces

• Excellent for detailed models and fine features

• Great for dental, jewelry, and product design

Cons:

• Resin can be messy and requires post-curing

• Limited material strength compared to FDM/SLS

• Higher printer and resin costs

Best For:

• Miniatures, dental models, prototypes, molds, and jewelry

⚙️ 3. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

How It Works:
SLS uses a high-powered laser to fuse powdered material (usually nylon) into solid cross-sections, layer by layer.

Materials Used:
Nylon (PA12), TPU, composites, metal powders (in advanced setups)

Pros:

• Strong, functional parts with complex geometry

• No need for supports (powder acts as a support medium)

• High production-level detail and strength

Cons:

• Expensive machines and materials

• Requires advanced ventilation and post-processing

• More technical setup

Best For:

• Industrial prototyping, functional end-use parts, aerospace and automotive components

💡 4. Digital Light Processing (DLP)

How It Works:
DLP is similar to SLA but uses a digital projector screen to cure each layer in one flash instead of tracing it with a laser.

Materials Used:
Photopolymer resins

Pros:

• Faster than SLA due to whole-layer exposure

• Very high detail and accuracy

• Less mechanical movement = lower failure rates

Cons:

• Same resin handling and post-processing challenges as SLA

• More expensive than FDM

Best For:

• Dental, jewelry, miniatures, ultra-fine detail printing

⚙️ 5. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

How It Works:
Developed by HP, MJF uses a fine powder bed and applies fusing and detailing agents with a thermal inkjet head, then fuses it with infrared heat.

Materials Used:
Nylon powder (PA11, PA12), TPU, glass-filled nylons

Pros:

• Fast production of highly functional parts

• Superior strength, surface finish, and isotropy

• Ideal for batch production

Cons:

• High initial investment

• Limited to industrial applications

Best For:

• Short-run manufacturing, end-use parts, enclosures, mechanical assemblies

🔩 6. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) / SLM

How It Works:
Metal powder is sintered or melted using a laser to produce fully metallic parts, layer by layer.

Materials Used:
Titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome

Pros:

• High-performance metal parts with excellent accuracy

• Ideal for aerospace, medical, and automotive

• No tooling required—complex geometries are possible

Cons:

• Extremely expensive

• Requires specialized safety equipment

• Long post-processing times

Best For:

• Aerospace components, surgical tools, metal prototypes

🧠 Comparison Table

📂 Resources & Further Reading

• FDM vs SLA: What’s the Difference?

• HP Multi Jet Fusion Technology

• SLS Explained – EOS