(506) 2240-6804
Ftm 3d printer
Compare Filament and Resin 3D Printers
The 3D printing and additive manufacturing market has undergone rapid change in recent years. No longer primarily the domain of hobbyists, highly capable desktop machines have developed into essential tools for businesses. After becoming the go-to tool for prototyping and product development, 3D printing use has expanded across manufacturing, dentistry, jewelry, and much more.
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) are the two most popular types of 3D printers on the market. Both 3D printing technologies have been adapted and refined for the desktop, making them more affordable, easier to use, and more capable.
In this comprehensive buyer's guide, we take a closer look at FDM and SLA 3D printers (also known as filament and resin 3d printers), and how they compare in terms of print quality, materials, applications, workflow, speed, costs, and more, to help you decide which technique is ideal for your business.
Video Guide
Having trouble finding the best 3D printing technology for your needs? In this video guide, we compare FDM, SLA, and SLS technologies across popular buying considerations.
Watch the Videos
Fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), is the most widely used type of 3D printing at the consumer level. FDM 3D printers work by extruding thermoplastic filaments, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), through a heated nozzle, melting the material and applying the plastic layer by layer to a build platform. Each layer is laid down one at a time until the part is complete.
Watch how FDM 3D printing works.
FDM 3D printers are well-suited for basic proof-of-concept models, as well as quick and low-cost prototyping of simple parts, such as parts that might typically be machined.
Stereolithography was the world’s first 3D printing technology, invented in the 1980s, and is still one of the most popular technologies for professionals.
SLA 3D printers use a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic in a process called photopolymerization.
See how SLA 3D printing works.
SLA resin 3D printers have become vastly popular for their ability to produce high-accuracy, isotropic, and watertight prototypes and parts in a range of advanced materials with fine features and smooth surface finish. SLA resin formulations offer a wide range of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.
Resin 3D printing a great option for highly detailed prototypes requiring tight tolerances and smooth surfaces, such as molds, patterns, and functional parts. SLA 3D printers are widely used in a range of industries from engineering and product design to manufacturing, dentistry, jewelry, model making, and education.
White Paper
Looking for a 3D printer to realize your 3D models in high resolution? Download our white paper to learn how SLA printing works and why it's the most popular 3D printing process for creating models with incredible details.
Download the White Paper
When additive manufacturing processes produce parts layer by layer, each layer also introduces an opportunity for inaccuracy. The process by which layers are formed affects the surface quality, level of precision, and the accuracy of each layer, and consequently, the overall print quality.
FDM 3D printers form layers by depositing lines of molten material. With this process, the resolution of the part is defined by the size of the extrusion nozzle and there are voids in between the rounded lines as the nozzle deposits them. As a result, layers may not fully adhere to one another, layers are generally clearly visible on the surface, and the process lacks the ability to reproduce intricate details that other technologies can offer.
In SLA 3D printing, liquid resin is cured by a highly-precise laser to form each layer, which can achieve much finer details and is more reliable to repeatedly achieve high-quality results.
As a result, SLA 3D printing is known for its fine features, smooth surface finish, ultimate part precision, and accuracy.
Accuracy, precision, and tolerance in 3D printing are complex and often misunderstood terms. Learn more about their meaning to better understand 3D print performance.
SLA parts have sharp edges, sleek surfaces, and minimal visible layer lines. This example part was printed on the Formlabs Form 3 desktop SLA 3D printer.
The use of light instead of heat for printing is another way SLA printers guarantee reliability. By 3D printing parts at close to room temperature, they don't suffer from thermal expansion and contraction artifacts, which can happen during the FDM printing process.
Thanks to the highly precise laser, SLA 3D printers are better for manufacturing complex parts (FDM part on the left, SLA part on the right).
While FDM printers produce a mechanical bond between layers, SLA 3D printers create chemical bonds by cross-linking photopolymers across layers, resulting in fully dense parts that are water and airtight.
These bonds provide high degrees of lateral strength, resulting in isotropic parts, meaning that the strength of the parts does not change with orientation. This makes SLA 3D printing especially ideal for engineering and manufacturing applications where material properties matter.
The difference in quality is less visible on relatively simple parts. However, SLA parts are dense and isotropic, which makes them better suited for many engineering and manufacturing applications (FDM part on the left, SLA part on the right).
Sample part
See and feel Formlabs quality firsthand. We’ll ship a free sample part to your office.
Request a Free Sample Part
Plastic extrusion 3D printers work with a range of standard thermoplastic filaments, such as ABS, PLA, and their various blends. The popularity of FDM 3D printing in the hobbyist space has led to an abundance of color options. Various experimental plastic filaments blends also exist to create parts with wood- or metal-like surface.
Engineering materials, such as Nylon, PETG, PA, or TPU and high-performance thermoplastics like PEEK or PEI are also available, but often limited to selected professional FDM printers that support them.
FDM filaments and blends offer various color options. (source: All3DP.com)
SLA resin materials have the benefit of a wide range of formulation configurations: they can be soft or hard, heavily filled with additives like glass and ceramic, or imbued with mechanical properties like high heat deflection temperature or impact resistance. Various resin formulations offer a wide range of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.
SLA 3D printers offer diverse materials for engineering and manufacturing applications.
In some cases, it’s this combination of versatility and functionality that leads to companies to initially bring SLA 3D printing in-house. After finding one application solved by a specific functional material, it’s usually not long before more possibilities are uncovered, and the printer becomes a tool for leveraging the diverse capabilities of various materials.
Some material properties that are unique to SLA include:
SLA is the only 3D printing technique that can produce transparent parts on the desktop. Ideal for getting visibility into complex assemblies, (micro)fluidics, mold making, optics, lighting, and any parts requiring translucency.
Learn More
Parts printed in this material look and behave like a molded silicone part, and are durable enough to use for multiple cycles.
Learn More
Offers a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 238 °C @ 0.45 MPa, the highest heat resistance of any material in desktop 3D printing.
Learn More
A 20% wax-filled material for direct investment casting and pressing for dental and jewelry applications.
Learn More
Specialized materials for dental applications like biocompatible surgical guides, splints, fixed patterns and models, clear aligner models, and full dentures.
Learn More
3D print parts with a stone-like finish and fire them to create a fully ceramic piece.
Learn More
Interactive
Need some help figuring out which 3D printing material you should choose? Our new interactive material wizard helps you make the right material decisions based on your application and the properties you care the most about from our growing library of resins.
Recommend Me a Material
See how to go from design to 3D print with the Form 3+ SLA 3D printer. This 5-minute video covers the basics of how to use the Form 3, from the software and materials to printing and post-processing.
The workflow for both FDM and SLA 3D printing consist of three steps: designing, 3D printing, and post-processing.
First, use any CAD software or 3D scan data to design a model, and export it in a 3D printable file format (STL or OBJ). 3D printers then require print preparation or slicer software to specify printing settings and slice the digital model into layers for printing.
Low-cost FDM or SLA 3D printers are not really user friendly and often require many hours of tweaking and experimenting to dial-in the correct print settings.
Still, the results might change with each new design or material and the chance of failed prints remains high. This not only delays projects, but can also lead to messy failures that require a lengthy cleanup process.
Professional SLA 3D printers, like the Form 3, and some other professional FDM printers come with their own proprietary software and predefined settings for each material that have been thoroughly tested to ensure the highest print success rate.
Setting up prints with advanced print preparation tools like PreForm is plug and play. PreForm is a free download, try it now.
Once the 3D printing process begins, most 3D printers can run unattended, even overnight, until the print is complete. Advanced SLA 3D printers like the Form 3 offer a cartridge system, that refills the material automatically.
The final step of the workflow is post-processing. SLA parts require rinsing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or alternative solvents to remove any uncured resin from their surface.
Using the standard workflow, this involves first removing parts from the build platform, then manually soaking them in a bath of solvent to clean off excess resin.
Professional solutions such as the Form Wash automate this process. Parts can be transferred directly from the printer to Form Wash, which agitates the solvent around the parts to clean them and automatically raises parts out of alcohol bath when the process is finished.
After rinsed parts dry, some SLA materials require post-curing, a process which helps parts to reach their highest possible strength and stability.
The FDM process has the benefit that it doesn’t require cleaning; unsupported finished parts are ready for use or further post-processing once the printing process is complete.
Both FDM and SLA processes use support structures to facilitate 3D printing more complex geometries and their removal represents the last step in post-processing.
Supports on FDM parts need to be manually torn away or dissolved in water, depending on the support material.
Supported FDM prints require additional post-processing to achieve a high-quality finish (source: 3D Hubs).
Support removal for SLA parts requires cutting away the support structures and lightly sanding the parts to remove support marks. Formlabs’ Low Force Stereolithography (LFS)™ technology offer light-touch supports, which allow an entire object to be torn away from its support base in seconds, leaving minimal markings and reducing time spent post-processing.
When further post-processing is required, both FDM and SLA parts can be machined, primed, painted, and assembled for specific applications or finishes. FDM parts, however, require additional sanding before priming or painting and need higher infill levels to be machined or bored.
Webinar
In this webinar, Matt Lewis and Ricky Hopper walk you through an overview of the improved SLA line, and give a hands on demo of the new products.
Watch the Webinar Now
How much does an FDM or SLA 3D printer cost and how much time and cost can you actually save with it for your business? Calculating cost per part requires accounting for the costs of equipment ownership, material, and labor.
It’s helpful to understand the factors that influence each of these cost components, and the questions to ask to evaluate alternative production methods and uncover hidden costs.
One of the main selling points for FDM 3D printers is the low machine cost. With entry-level FDM printers available for only a few hundred dollars, hobbyists and small businesses can try FDM to see if 3D printing is something worth adding to their toolset. For those unsure of where to start, the lower cost of an entry-level FDM machine is often persuasive enough to justify a purchase. However, these low-cost FDM printers can be unreliable and often require an expert to keep running in the long term.
Professional desktop FDM printers are easier to use and more tailored to businesses, with prices ranging from $2,000-$8,000. These 3D printers generally provide better reliability, higher print quality, and larger build volumes. While these machines are suitable for producing functional parts, competition at this price point is fierce, as SLA machines offer a wider range of applications and better quality prints.
SLA 3D printers start around $3,750 with Formlabs offering the only accessible large SLA 3D printer solution starting at $11,000.
In terms of materials, FDM filaments are also relatively low cost compared to materials for other 3D printing technologies. Common FDM materials like ABS, PLA, and their various blends generally start around $50/kg, while specialized FDM filaments for engineering applications can be $100-150/kg. Soluble support materials for dual extrusion FDM 3D printers sell for $100-200/kg. In comparison, most standard and engineering resins for SLA 3D printers cost $149-$200/L.
Labor costs are the final—often forgotten—part of the equation. For simple designs that require no supports to print, FDM requires almost no post-processing. Supported FDM prints and parts that require a high-quality finish, however, require lengthy manual post-processing.
SLA parts require washing and, depending on the material, also post-curing, but both of these processes can be mostly automated with accessories to minimize labor time.
Supported SLA prints only require a bit of sanding to remove support marks and achieve a high-quality finish.
As a rule of thumb, FDM 3D printers will create the cheapest parts if you’re printing only relatively simple prototypes in limited numbers. SLA resin 3D printers offer higher resolution, better quality, and a wide variety of 3D printing materials at a slight premium, but the difference quickly diminishes when you print complex designs or larger batches due to the less labor-intensive post-processing.
Interactive
Try our interactive ROI tool to see how much time and cost you can save when 3D printing on Formlabs 3D printers.
Calculate Your Savings
Draft Resin is a fast-printing SLA material that can create parts up to 5-10X faster than FDM 3D printers. With a 200-micron layer height, Draft Resin is accurate enough to meet prototyping needs while enabling faster design iterations. Larger models that take up most of the build volume of an SLA printer (around a 15 cm cube) take only around nine hours to print with Draft Resin.
Printing the same part at 200-micron layers on an FDM printer can take 80-90 hours. This is ideal for applications like rapid prototyping, where it allows users to quickly evaluate success and move on to another print or project.
FDM and SLA printing speed becomes comparable when printing parts at similar layer heights with other materials. But note, that a part printed at 100-micron layers on an FDM printer looks vastly different from a part printed at 100-micron layers on an SLA printer, because of the way the layers are built. Achieving comparable quality with FDM parts will require lower layers height —thus two to four times longer printing time— or significant and time-consuming post-processing to improve surface finish.
Webinar
Looking to learn more? Listen to the product managers who helped develop Draft Resin materials in this on-demand webinar.
Watch the Webinar Now
One area where FDM printers traditionally reigned used to be build volume.
Due to the differences in technology, developing larger FDM machines is less complex. There are numerous larger FDM solutions on the market for applications that require 3D printing bigger parts.
The inverted SLA process behind desktop SLA printers reduces footprint and cost, but heightened peel forces introduce limitations around materials and build volume, and larger parts require sturdy support structures to print successfully.
With the introduction of the Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) print process that powers the Form 3 and Form 3L, Formlabs has completely re-engineered our approach to resin-based 3D printing to drastically reduce the forces exerted on parts during the print process. Uniform linear illumination and the low forces from the flexible tank mean Low Force Stereolithography technology can seamlessly scale up to a larger print area built around the same powerful print engine.
The first affordable large format resin printer, the Form 3L delivers large parts fast, using two staggered light processing units (LPUs) that work simultaneously along an optimized print path.
Delivering a build volume five times larger than current SLA printers, the Form 3L removes size restrictions that sometimes hinder workflows on smaller desktop devices, while maintaining a competitive price point.
The Form 3L offers five times larger build volume than current SLA printers while maintaining a competitive price point.
Webinar
Want to learn more about the Form 3L and Form 3BL ecosystem, and the new large format post-processing machines?
In this demo, Kyle and Chris will expain how to navigate the Form 3L end-to-end workflow, including post-processing.
Watch Now
Each 3D printing technology has its own strengths, weaknesses, and requirements, and is suitable for different applications and businesses. The following table summarizes some key characteristics and considerations when comparing resin vs. filament 3D printers.
| Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | Stereolithography (SLA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Accuracy | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Surface Finish | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Throughput | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Complex Designs | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of Use | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Pros | Low-cost consumer machines and materials Fast and easy for simple, small parts | Great value High accuracy Smooth surface finish Fast printing speeds Range of functional applications |
| Cons | Low accuracy Low details Limited design compatibility | Sensitive to long exposure to UV light |
| Applications | Low-cost rapid prototyping Basic proof-of-concept models | Functional prototyping Patterns, molds, and tooling Dental applications Jewelry prototyping and casting Modelmaking |
| Price | Budget printers and 3D printer kits start at a few hundred dollars. Higher quality mid-range desktop printers start around $2,000, and industrial systems are available from $15,000. | Professional desktop printers start at $3,750, large-format benchtop printers at $11,000, and large-scale industrial machines are available from $80,000. |
| Print Volume | Up to 300 x 300 x 600 mm (desktop and benchtop 3D printers) | Up to 300 x 335 x 200 mm (desktop and benchtop 3D printers) |
| Materials | Standard thermoplastics, such as ABS, PLA, and their various blends. | Varieties of resin (thermosetting plastics). Standard, engineering (ABS-like, PP-like, flexible, heat-resistant), castable, dental, and medical (biocompatible). |
| Training | Minor training on build setup, machine operation, and finishing; moderate training on maintenance. | Plug and play. Minor training on build setup, maintenance, machine operation, and finishing. |
| Facility Requirements | Air-conditioned environment or preferably custom ventilation for desktop machines. | Desktop machines are suitable for an office environment. |
| Ancillary Equipment | Support removal system for machines with soluble supports (optionally automated), finishing tools. | Washing station and post-curing station (both can be automated), finishing tools. |
After comparing the two technologies, we can conclude that FDM and SLA printers both have similar, often complementary features. But the two types of 3D printers are not always competing; many businesses use both as FDM and SLA 3D printers alongside one another. This can mean the best of both worlds: low-cost rapid prototyping coupled with high quality, functional parts for a wider range of applications.
A few practical examples:
-
In product development, FDM parts, or SLA printing with Draft Resin are both ideal for basic proof of concept models and rapid iterations. As a project moves forward in the development, SLA 3D printing is ideal for detailed concept models or functional prototypes might require better quality and materials with different properties.
-
Both FDM and SLA 3D printing are commonly used in manufacturing to create jigs, fixtures, and other tooling. FDM is better for large, simple parts, while SLA is a better solution for complex jigs, highly accurate tooling, and molds.
-
The education industry has seen success in deploying both FDM and SLA machines. Many education institutions start with FDM printing as its low cost is ideal for students who need quick drafts and some hands-on experience with the technology. SLA is the preferred choice for many technical schools, universities, research institutes, and in dental and jewelry education due to the higher quality and wider range of applications.
The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) uses a fleet of 12 SLA 3D printers for most engineering and manufacturing applications and reserve five industrial FDM printers for larger parts.
Download our white paper for a detailed overview of SLA ecosystems and the step-by-step 3D printing workflow.
Curious to see the SLA quality firsthand? Pick from our list of applications and request a complimentary sample part to find a material that meets the requirements for your project.
Request a Free Sample Part
Choosing the Right 3D Printer: FDM vs SLA
SURFACE FINISH - CHOOSING THE RIGHT 3D PRINTER
SLA is capable of producing jewelry-level detail / Courtesy: 3DPrintersShop
FDM: The surface finish achieved through FDM printers is coarse and the layer lines are clearly visible due to the minimum layer height. The line thickness as seen from above is typically around 400 microns (the bead resulting from the diameter of the nozzle). The line thickness as seen from the side can be adjusted typically from 50 - 400 microns - this is called resolution or layer height.
SLA: Because SLA printers utilize a laser for “drawing” each line of the part, the resulting lines can be much smaller and more precise resulting in a smooth surface finish.
The approximate width of the laser and the resulting cured lines is 20 microns.
ACCURACY - CHOOSING THE RIGHT 3D PRINTER
FDM: FDM 3D printing achieves good dimensional accuracy for larger features. For smaller features, the dimensional accuracy is hampered and sometimes is not consistent. This can also be hampered depending on the 3D printer type (DIY, desktop, professional, or industrial FDM printer). Choosing the right 3D printer becomes a task because the accuracy also depends on other factors like the calibration and slicer settings. Materials also play a role in the accuracy through their shrinkage properties. One example of a precise 3D printer - the MakerBot METHOD - utilizes a unique heated build chamber allowing for a high level of dimensional accuracy.
SLA: As an SLA printer is able to achieve a very fine resolution, the dimensional accuracy is unmatched by most of the other 3D printing technologies. If the primary objective is surface finish and accuracy on fine features (such as in jewelry or dentistry), SLA is a great choice.
PART STRENGTH – CHOOSING THE RIGHT 3D PRINTER
3D Printed Bracket / Courtesy: 3DHubs
FDM: FDM printers tend to have an advantage when it comes to producing durable, usable, long-lasting parts due to their ability to print in known polymers and composites. Printing in nylon carbon fiber, for example, will allow for a lightweight part that is incredibly strong.
SLA: Typically, SLA printers are known more for their creation of delicate and detailed parts rather than for strong parts. This is due to a combination of factors. For one, cured resins tend to be fairly brittle. Another reason is that unlike FDM prints, SLA prints cannot be printed solid as such parts will result in cracks, warping, and often print failure. There have been some new stronger resins in development, but they are far from perfect and have often not been proven in the field as have many of the known polymers and composites on the FDM side.
EASE OF USE - CHOOSING THE RIGHT 3D PRINTER
SLA printers use toxic resin and requires extra precautions when handling
FDM: FDM printers are fairly straightforward - insert plastic filament in one end, and extruder out the other.
This simplicity and relative cleanliness has made FDM printers a choice for those who want to use them in an open office or educational environment. The parts come out dry and clean, and often there is just the singular post-processing of removing supports by breaking them off. The remaining material is easily stored in hard plastic filament form for the next print.
SLA: While SLA printed parts can be nice looking, there is a little extra work that goes into the process. The nature of printing parts in a liquid resin can be too much of a hassle for some due to the resulting mess - parts come out sticky, and resin can find its way into the larger workspace. Also the resin can be highly toxic - requiring the use of goggles, gloves, and other protective equipment.
Post-processing involves multiple steps - first washing the print to remove excess resin, followed by clipping off supports which requires clippers (be careful not to remove features that are actually the print!).
Lastly, a further curing process using a UV lamp is recommended to finish the part. The remaining material of liquid resin must be kept in the tray away from light and has a short shelf life once in the tray.
This chemical-laden process means that SLA printers are most often found in closed labs.
3D PRINTING COSTS - CHOOSING THE RIGHT 3D PRINTER
FDM: FDM is the most affordable technology available in the entire space. It is not only inexpensive in terms of the actual machine but also in its operations as the materials are comparatively less expensive than those for other technologies. As a result, products manufactured through FDM 3D printing tend to be less expensive than for comparative products.
SLA: The SLA printer is a costly machine. It involves the use of expensive parts like laser source and scanning mirrors. The materials are also expensive. Additionally, almost all the models require some amount of support structures and so 3D printed output also gets expensive.
SIZE – CHOOSING THE RIGHT 3D PRINTER
Stratasys Fortus 900mc / Courtesy: Stratasys
FDM: FDM printers are available in a wide range of build volumes. From smaller desktop versions to large-format industrial versions, the build volumes can be manufactured as per the need of the user. The largest FDM printer packs a volume of approximately 2,475 liters.
SLA: SLA printers have a limitation on their build volumes. They are generally not very big. The largest SLA printer has a volume of approximately 618 liters.
SUMMARY
Jamco America use the MakerBot METHOD 3D Printer to bring complex aircraft parts to market faster.
FDM printers and SLA printers have proven popular across many industries and their use continues to grow. While some may choose one technology over the other, many see the benefit of utilizing both alongside each other and benefiting from each technology’s strength. For example, a designer at a company might choose to use SLA to get a detailed look at a final part, while an engineer might use FDM to produce a part in a production material, such as ABS, for prototype testing.
If you have to choose one or the other - ask yourself if you need a more robust part printed in more common materials, or if you need a highly detailed part that looks nice. If you need a stronger, usable part, an FDM printer might be the way to go, but if you just need a nice looking, detailed part, the SLA printer might be your choice. Either way, 3D printing is a great way to quickly take a digital design and make it a physical reality!
Want to find out which is going to be the best fit for you and your organization? Talk to a MakerBot 3D printing expert today!
Top 5 Resin 3D Printers (2021 Review)
Resin 3D printer produces highly reliable prints using SLA, LCD or DLP technology. It cures UV resin and turns liquid into high quality 3D models at a faster rate.
To go into more detail, stereolithography (SLA) is the earliest form of resin 3D printing, which works by adding a light sensitive liquid resin substrate to a UV laser beam.
The resin is then cured to the desired pattern and the product is formed layer by layer to completion. nine0003
On the other hand, when we talk about digital light processing (DLP), we mean the process of projecting one image in each layer with a digital projector by emitting UV radiation. And with the advent of LCD technology, resin 3D printing with LCD screen is becoming predominant in the 3D printing industry today. Since the LCD screen acts as a mask over the UV light source, it is sometimes referred to as MSLA (masked stereolithography).
Having said that, getting the right resin 3D printer has never been easier with so many brands and models available on the market. So, to help you on your buying journey, we've provided the top five resin 3D printers, along with advice from our technical experts and 3D printer enthusiasts, to give you the most important information before you buy. nine0003
Just click the buttons below that we have prepared for you to view their best deals on Amazon.
That being said, we hope you find the best resin 3D printer to suit your next printing project in the future!
The best polymer 3D printers in comparison and rating
| Smol 3D printers | Features | 1. 3D-PHOMOV nine0003 |
| |
|
5-2 seconds For 98%
Quality and accuracy
for 97%
Functions
for 9000%
for 97% 9000
Pros :
- Has a large build volume of 192mm x 120mm x 245mm, allowing us to maximize our creativity and imagination.
- Offers an 8.9-inch 4K monochrome LCD display with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels, which can return print information to its original form, and has a lifespan of up to 2000 hours.
nine0043 - Has a short exposure time of 1.5-2 seconds and delivers a high print speed of 60mm per hour, which is 3 times faster than a standard 3D printer.
- Features a dual effect cooling system specifically designed for consistent print performance and longevity.
- Uses a UV LED matrix to distribute light more evenly throughout the print.
- Comes with a dual Z-axis that prevents Z-axis wobble and improves printing efficiency. nine0043
- Has Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring of print operations.
Cons:
- The firmware is unstable, but this can be fixed by updating it.
- The fumes seem very smelly, so a more well ventilated print shop is required.
Final take:
This ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X resin 3D printer revolutionized resin 3D printing.
It impressed us during the testing process as it printed consistently at 3 x 192 x 120 mm. It has a monochrome LCD in the center as well as a 245K resolution panel with 4 micron pixel size (XY). We printed with a thickness of 50mm and were impressed by the quality of the print, which perfectly brings out important and small details. The slicer program is simple but accurate. So far, the auto support feature has been reliable because we haven't had missed or failed prints due to insufficient support. The Z-axis is indeed a thread-height bar, while the plastic tank is anodized aluminum, so we've never experienced any Z-axis wobble before this entry. It also features a brushed aluminum platform which improves the adhesion between the platform and prints, as well as its design and durability. Ultimately, this ANYCUBIC Photon Mono X 05D Resin Printer is an excellent entry-level resin UV printer with exceptional print efficiency. We were blown away by its printing capabilities and we can't say enough about the print quality! nine0189
30-50 mm per hour
SLISER software
Chitubox
for
for
for
for
for
for
for
%
easy to use
for 97%
value for money
Pros of :
- Has a COB UV LED light source that emits a much more stable UV light, as well as a 2K monochrome LCD display that improves print specifics and improves accuracy.
nine0043 - Comes with a 6.08-inch 2K HD monochrome LCD, which has a much longer life and high stability in long-term printing.
- It only takes 2 seconds to apply cured resin to one layer, which can greatly improve print quality.
- Features a durable CNC machined aluminum body and its state of the art sandblasted build plate also has excellent adhesion throughout the print for more reliable printing. nine0043
- Supports 12 different languages, allowing customers from all over the world to easily use this 3D printer. (Japanese, Dutch, Korean, French, German, Russian, Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Portuguese).
- Offers a replacement resin tank made from a special engineering plastic that is environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Cons:
- The slicer app is a little hard to use.
nine0043
Final take:
The ELEGOO Mars 3 Mono MSLA 2D printer is among the most affordable 3D printers we have seen so far. It features a monochrome LCD, COB UV light source and a 6.08-inch 2K HD LCD. We printed everything from industrial parts to board game mini-games with a build volume of 129mm x 80mm x 150mm. Compared to RGB LCD 3D printers, it has four times the shelf life and twice the print speed, making it one of the most powerful, reliable and maintenance free resin 3D printers. In the process of testing the transparent resin, we set at least 8 seconds per layer at a height of 0.05 mm, and it showed outstanding consistency. Also, at 11-12 seconds for opaque resins per 0.05mm layer, the prints from this 3D printer are really beautiful and flawless. We had a great time with this ELEGOO Mars 3 Mono MSLA 2D Printer as it is incredibly easy to operate while in use and comes with amazing support. In addition, it creates amazing objects with stunning detail and resolution.
nine0160 30 mm/h
Slicer software
Longer in-house developed slicing software. CHITUBOX4
for 97%
Quality and accuracy
for 96%
Functions 9000% 9000%
for 9000% 9000
PLS is also supported. nine0023 :
- Offers a low cost UV LCD 3D printer with faster prototyping and finer details than FDM printers.
- Comes with an advanced UV LED module that provides specialized optical path configuration and even power distribution to help improve prototype accuracy and print productivity.
- Has a self-developed slicing program that creates a 100 MB slicing file in one minute, which is three times faster than others.
nine0043 - Features 24 parallel LEDs to improve print efficiency, cure speed, layer adhesion support, and consistent light output compared to other printers.
- Features a full color touch screen interface, real-time display and print status monitoring, fast bed leveling, strong steel body, strong adhesion, and a temperature warning system for greater safety.
Cons:
- We are a little limited in the printing area because it is a little small.
Final Take:
This Longer Orange 3 Resin SLA 10D Printer is one of the most iconic SLA 3D printers available and is a great entry level LCD light curing device. Assembly takes minimal time as we were able to start printing within minutes of unboxing and the entire process took only 15 minutes. The self-developed slicing program is incredibly easy to use and very fast.
We printed 28mm high mock-ups which took about 3 hours to complete. One thing to note when printing with resin is that the printing process is proportional to the height of the model, meaning that it takes the same amount of time to print six models as it takes to print one model. It produces highly accurate prints and can print complex models such as miniatures including accessories. Ultimately, there is no doubt about its effectiveness, because it produces quality products of an exceptionally high level! This Longer Orange 3 Resin SLA 10D printer is a great buy when it comes to 3D printing. nine0189
4C per layer (50-70 mm per hour)
SLISER software
CHITU CHITU DLP 9000
for 96% 9000,000 9000.
Functions
for 93%
Ease in use
for 94%
Price and quality ratio
pluses :
- Provides exceptional accuracy and accuracy of dynamic ultraviolet radiation with a capacity of 30 watts for quick printing, providing 4 seconds per layer using a 2560 x 1440 2K HD masking LCD.
nine0043 - Equipped with a dual fan air filtration system designed for impressive ventilation that uses activated carbon air filtration to effectively minimize odor differences.
- Uses the latest ChiTuBox slicing software for an exceptional user interface.
- Provides easy cleaning of the resin reservoir, as well as a distinctive FEP release film reinforced at both ends. nine0043
- With a print volume of 119 mm x 65 mm x 160 mm, we can produce larger and larger prints one after the other.
- Has an integrated computer board that allows us to print directly from a USB stick.
- The body of the system is all-metal, manufactured using CNC cutting technology, which improves the structural system, reduces friction and provides relatively smooth printing.
Cons:
- The manual is useless because there doesn't seem to be any cleaning or post-processing procedures, and even all the instructions are written in Chinese.
nine0043
Final take:
Creality 3D printers are gaining popularity and this Creality LD3R Resin 002D printer is another great resin 3D printer in the industry. It is economical yet effective as its powerful UV output delivers 4 seconds per coat with exceptional precision and resolution. During the testing procedure, the initial calibration and setup is extremely easy and our first prints were pretty good. After weeks of continuous testing and use, we can confidently state that this 3D printer is a fantastic piece to get started with resin 3D printing. The resolution is really very good, and the surface quality of the printed parts is impressive. We have been using the printer for two months now, and since we have used it, it has not disappointed us. In addition, the performance of this 3D printer is amazing. Without a doubt, this Creality LD3R Resin 002D Printer is a fantastic way to start your 3D printing journey. nine0043
Cons:
- The work table is not tilted and holds a significant amount of resin.
- Compared to other 3D printers in the same price range, it usually has a smaller build volume.
Final take:
This PHROZEN Sonic Mini Resin 3D printer is an impressive low cost resin 3D printer with high speed printing, high precision and ease of use. It has a very advanced production and processing method that cures the resin in a fraction of a second. In the same way, it uses a thermally stable mono-LCD display, which will better last about 2000 hours, so we don't have to worry about maintenance and care.
During testing, we tested this 3D printer with 0.03mm resolution accessories along with aqua green resin. The standard resin profile allowed only 2 seconds, but we accurately tested it for 1.35 seconds to achieve more accurate measurements and fewer filled loops. In addition, this resin 3D printer is so easy to operate that we can start printing in 5 minutes with just 3 clicks. We liked how the touchscreen feels responsive and the user interface looks attractive along with the lightweight body it has. nine0003 Check Price
development of CNC equipment, installation, commissioning.
General Director of AMT Group
Alexander Maslov
SPETSAVIA machine tool company was founded in 2009 in Yaroslavl as a manufacturer of professional CNC equipment. The founder and head of the enterprise is Alexander Maslov.
In 2012, we noticed the growing market interest in the topic of 3D construction printing (COP, Construction Objects Printing).
A long period of research and development ended with the creation of a prototype. Then followed the preparatory stage for the industrial production of equipment. nine0003
In 2015 SPETSAVIA launched the first serial production of construction 3D printers (COP-printers) in Europe and the CIS. At the moment, the company's specialists have developed a model range of portal construction printers of small and large format (trademark "AMT") - for different tasks and for different categories of customers.
The invariable advantages of our equipment include: reliability, maintainability, long service life, ease of maintenance, licensed software included in the delivery of all models. nine0003
Our construction printers are used for the manufacture of small architectural forms, products for landscape design and landscaping, the production of elements and parts of buildings and structures with subsequent assembly at the construction site, as well as printing buildings directly on the foundation.
To demonstrate the applicability of 3D construction technology in practice and the capabilities of construction printers, in December 2015, SPETSAVIA specialists built a residential building near Yaroslavl using additive technology (3D printing), the first building of its kind in Europe and the CIS. nine0003
The main activity of the enterprise: the production of 3D printers, including R&D and the development of customized and non-standard equipment to order.
All manufactured equipment has a certificate of industrial safety, technical specifications (technical specifications) are registered, a Declaration of Conformity with the Technical Regulations on the territory of the Customs Union (TR CU) is issued, a certificate of the European Union (CE) is received.
In 2016, the company mastered the production of professional large-format 3D printers for printing with plastic and polyurethane. The FFF (FDM) printer with the self-explanatory name "BIGEMOT" can print products from plastic and polyurethane with a volume of up to 1.
2 cubic meters, which significantly exceeds the capabilities of existing world analogues. nine0003
Such printers can be used for making models, prototypes, test samples, molds, models, parts and finished products in industry, architectural modeling, advertising, automotive industry (manufacturing, tuning) education (practical training of students in new technologies).
In 2017, a subsidiary company AMT (Additive Manufacturing Technologies) was established in the Skolkovo Special Economic Zone (Moscow). The area of activity of the Moscow subsidiary is the development and production of 3D construction printers, sales and service in foreign markets. nine0003
In 2018, the AMT Group of Companies introduced two new models of large-format construction printers, including the S-500. According to its parameters, it is the largest construction 3D printer in the world.
Today portal construction printers "AMT" manufactured in Yaroslavl have certificates of the Customs Union and the European Union, are exported and, in addition to Russia, operate in Europe, Central and Southeast Asia.
