How many types of 3d printers are there

Types of 3D Printers, 3D Printing Materials, and Applications

3D printing or additive manufacturing (AM) technologies create three-dimensional parts from computer-aided design (CAD) models by successively adding material layer by layer until physical part is created.

While 3D printing technologies have been around since the 1980s, recent advances in machinery, materials, and software have made 3D printing accessible to a wider range of businesses, enabling more and more companies to use tools previously limited to a few high-tech industries.

Today, professional, low-cost desktop and benchtop 3D printers accelerate innovation and support businesses in various industries including engineering, manufacturing, dentistry, healthcare, education, entertainment, jewelry, and audiology.

All 3D printing processes start with a CAD model that is sent to software to prepare the design. Depending on the technology, the 3D printer might produce the part layer by layer by solidifying resin or sintering powder. The parts are then removed from the printer and post-processed for the specific application.

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.

3D printers create parts from three-dimensional models, the mathematical representations of any three-dimensional surface created using computer-aided design (CAD) software or developed from 3D scan data. The design is then exported as an STL or OBJ file readable by print preparation software.

3D printers include software to specify print settings and slice the digital model into layers that represent horizontal cross-sections of the part. Adjustable printing settings include orientation, support structures (if needed), layer height, and material. Once setup is complete, the software sends the instructions to the printer via a wireless or cable connection.

Some 3D printers use a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic, others fuse small particles of polymer powder at high temperatures to build parts. Most 3D printers can run unattended until the print is complete, and modern systems automatically refill the material required for the parts from cartridges.

With Formlabs 3D printers, an online Dashboard allows you to remotely manage printers, materials, and teams.

Depending on the technology and the material, the printed parts may require rinsing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to remove any uncured resin from their surface, post-curing to stabilize mechanical properties, manual work to remove support structures, or cleaning with compressed air or a media blaster to remove excess powder. Some of these processes can be automated with accessories.

3D printed parts can be used directly or post-processed for specific applications and the required finish by machining, priming, painting, fastening or joining. Often, 3D printing also serves as an intermediate step alongside conventional manufacturing methods, such as positives for investment casting jewelry and dental appliances, or molds for custom parts.

The three most established types of 3D printers for plastics parts are stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and fused deposition modeling (FDM). Formlabs offers two professional 3D printing technologies, SLA and SLS, bringing these powerful and accessible industrial fabrication tools into the creative hands of professionals around the world.

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.

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.

Rapid prototyping
Functional prototyping
Concept modeling
Short-run production
Dental applications
Jewelry prototyping and casting

Learn More About SLA 3D Printers

Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing uses a laser to cure liquid photopolymer resin into solid isotropic parts.

SLA parts have sharp edges, a smooth surface finish, and minimal visible layer lines.

Selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers use a high-power laser to sinter small particles of polymer powder into a solid structure. The unfused powder supports the part during printing and eliminates the need for dedicated support structures. This makes SLS ideal for complex geometries, including interior features, undercuts, thin walls, and negative features. Parts produced with SLS printing have excellent mechanical characteristics, with strength resembling that of injection-molded parts.

The most common material for selective laser sintering is nylon, a popular engineering thermoplastic with excellent mechanical properties. Nylon is lightweight, strong, and flexible, as well as stable against impact, chemicals, heat, UV light, water, and dirt.

The combination of low cost per part, high productivity, and established materials make SLS a popular choice among engineers for functional prototyping, and a cost-effective alternative to injection molding for limited-run or bridge manufacturing.

Functional prototyping
End-use parts
Short-run, bridge, or custom manufacturing

Learn More About SLS 3D Printers

SLS 3D printers use a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of polymer powder.

SLS parts have a slightly rough surface finish, but almost no visible layer lines.

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.

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. However, FDM has the lowest resolution and accuracy when compared to SLA or SLS and is not the best option for printing complex designs or parts with intricate features. Higher-quality finishes may be obtained through chemical and mechanical polishing processes. Industrial FDM 3D printers use soluble supports to mitigate some of these issues and offer a wider range of engineering thermoplastics, but they also come at a steep price.

Basic proof-of-concept models
Simple prototyping

Learn More About FDM 3D Printers

FDM 3D printers build parts by melting and extruding thermoplastic filament, which a printer nozzle deposits layer by layer in the build area.

FDM parts tend to have visible layer lines and might show inaccuracies around complex features.

Having trouble finding the best 3D printing process for your needs? In this video guide, we compare FDM, SLA, and SLS technologies, the most popular types of 3D printers, across the most important buying considerations.

Each 3D printing process has its own benefits and limitations that make them more suitable for certain applications. This video compares the functional and visual characteristics of FDM, SLA, and SLS printers 3D printers to help you identify the solution that best matches your requirements.

Do you need custom parts or prototypes fast? Compared to outsourcing to service providers or using traditional tools like machining, having a 3D printer in-house can save weeks of lead time. In this video, we compare the speed of FDM, SLA, and SLS 3D printing processes.

Comparing the cost of different 3D printers goes beyond sticker prices—these won’t tell you the full story of how much a 3D printed part will cost. Learn the three factors you need to consider for cost and how they compare across FDM, SLA, and SLS 3D printing technologies.

As additive manufacturing processes build objects by adding material layer by layer, they offer a unique set of advantages over traditional subtractive and formative manufacturing processes.

With traditional manufacturing processes, it can take weeks or months to receive a part. 3D printing turns CAD models into physical parts within a few hours, producing parts and assemblies from one-off concept models to functional prototypes and even small production runs for testing. This allows designers and engineers to develop ideas faster, and helps companies to bring products more quickly to the market.

Engineers at the AMRC turned to 3D printing to rapidly produce 500 high-precision drilling caps used in drilling trials for Airbus, cutting the lead time from weeks to only three days.

With 3D printing, there’s no need for the costly tooling and setup associated with injection molding or machining; the same equipment can be used from prototyping to production to create parts with different geometries. As 3D printing becomes increasingly capable of producing functional end-use parts, it can complement or replace traditional manufacturing methods for a growing range of applications in low- to mid-volumes.

Pankl Racing Systems substituted machined jigs and fixtures with 3D printed parts, decreasing costs by 80-90 percent that resulted in $150,000 in savings.

From shoes to clothes and bicycles, we’re surrounded by products made in limited, uniform sizes as businesses strive to standardize products to make them economical to manufacture. With 3D printing, only the digital design needs to be changed to tailor each product to the customer without additional tooling costs. This transformation first started to gain a foothold in industries where custom fit is essential, such medicine and dentistry, but as 3D printing becomes more affordable, it’s increasingly being used to mass customize consumer products.

Gillette's Razor Maker™ gives consumers the power to create and order customized 3D printed razor handles, with the choice of 48 different designs (and counting), a variety of colors, and the option to add custom text.

3D printing can create complex shapes and parts, such as overhangs, microchannels, and organic shapes, that would be costly or even impossible to produce with traditional manufacturing methods. This provides the opportunity to consolidate assemblies into less individual parts to reduce weight, alleviate weak joints, and cut down on assembly time, unleashing new possibilities for design and engineering.

Nervous System launched the first-ever 3D printed ceramic jewelry line, consisting of intricate designs that would be impossible to manufacture using any other ceramic technique.

Product development is an iterative process that requires multiple rounds of testing, evaluation, and refinement. Finding and fixing design flaws early can help companies avoid costly revisions and tooling changes down the road. With 3D printing, engineers can thoroughly test prototypes that look and perform like final products, reducing the risks of usability and manufacturability issues before moving into production.

The developers of Plaato, an optically clear airlock for homebrewing, 3D printed 1,000 prototypes to fine tune their design before investing in expensive tooling.

3D printing accelerates innovation and supports businesses across a wide range of industries, including engineering, manufacturing, dentistry, healthcare, education, entertainment, jewelry, audiology, and more.

Rapid prototyping with 3D printing empowers engineers and product designers to turn ideas into realistic proofs of concept, advance these concepts to high-fidelity prototypes that look and work like final products, and guide products through a series of validation stages toward mass production.

Applications:

Rapid prototyping
Communication models
Manufacturing validation

Learn More

Manufacturers automate production processes and streamline workflows by prototyping tooling and directly 3D printing custom tools, molds, and manufacturing aids at far lower costs and lead times than with traditional manufacturing. This reduces manufacturing costs and defects, increases quality, speeds up assembly, and maximizes labor effectiveness.

Applications:

Jig and fixtures
Tooling
Molding (injection molding, thermoforming, silicone molding, overmolding)
Metal casting
Short run production
Mass customization

Learn More

3D printers are multifunctional tools for immersive learning and advanced research. They can encourage creativity and expose students to professional-level technology while supporting STEAM curricula across science, engineering, art, and design.

Applications:

Models for STEAM curricula
Fab labs and makerspaces
Custom research setups

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Affordable, professional-grade desktop 3D printing helps doctors deliver treatments and devices customized to better serve each unique individual, opening the door to high-impact medical applications while saving organizations significant time and costs from the lab to the operating room.

Applications:

Anatomical models for surgical planning
Medical devices and surgical instruments
Insoles and orthotics

Learn More

High definition physical models are widely used in sculpting, character modeling, and prop making. 3D printed parts have starred in stop-motion films, video games, bespoke costumes, and even special effects for blockbuster movies.

Applications:

Hyper-realistic sculptures
Character models
Props

Learn More

Jewelry professionals use CAD and 3D printing to rapidly prototype designs, fit clients, and produce large batches of ready-to-cast pieces. Digital tools allow for the creation of consistent, sharply detailed pieces without the tediousness and variability of wax carving.

Applications:

Lost-wax casting (investment casting)
Fitting pieces
Master patterns for rubber molding

Learn More

Hearing specialists and ear mold labs use digital workflows and 3D printing to manufacture higher quality custom ear products more consistently, and at higher volumes for applications like behind-the-ear hearing aids, hearing protection, and custom earplugs and earbuds.

Applications:

Soft silicone ear molds
Custom earbuds

Learn More

The market for 3D printing materials is wide and ever-growing, with printers for everything from plastics to metals, and even food and live tissue in development. Formlabs offers the following range of photopolymer materials for the desktop.

Standard 3D printing materials provide high resolution, fine features, and a smooth surface finish ideal for rapid prototyping, product development, and general modeling applications.

These materials are available in Black, White, and Grey with a matte finish and opaque appearance, Clear for any parts requiring translucency, and as a Color Kit to match almost any custom color.

Explore Standard Materials

3D printing materials for engineering, manufacturing, and product design are formulated to provide advanced functionality, withstand extensive testing, perform under stress, and remain stable over time.

Engineering materials are ideal for 3D printing strong, precise concept models and prototypes to rapidly iterating through designs, assess form and fit, and optimize manufacturing processes.

Explore Engineering Materials

Medical resins empower hospitals to create patient-specific parts in a day at the point of care and support R&D for medical devices. These resins are formulated for 3D printing anatomical models, medical device and device components, and surgical planning and implant sizing tools.

Explore Jewelry Materials

Jewelry resins are formulated to capture breathtaking detail and create custom jewelry cost-effectively. These resins are ideal for jewelry prototyping and casting jewelry, as well as vulcanized rubber and RTV molding.

Explore Jewelry Materials

Specialty Resins push the limits of 3D printing, featuring advanced materials with unique mechanical properties that expand what’s possible with in-house fabrication on our stereolithography 3D printers.

Explore Specialty Materials

In recent years, high-resolution industrial 3D printers have become more affordable, intuitive, and reliable. As a result, the technology is now accessible to more businesses. Read our in-depth guide about 3D printer costs, or try our interactive tool to see if this technology makes economic sense your business.

Calculate Your Savings

New to 3D printing? Explore our guides to learn about the key terms and specific characteristics of 3D printing to find the best solution for your business.

For further questions,

Explore 3D Printing Resources

Types of 3D Printers: Complete Guide

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3D printing is the latest thing to excite anyone who loves easy-to-use interactive technology. Engineers and scientists have actually been working with this amazing equipment since way back in 1983. That’s the time when an American engineer named Charles (Chuck) Hull invented the first ever 3D printer. He called it his SLA machine, which stands for stereolithography apparatus.

Don’t Miss: Best 3D Printers of 2018.

Some in the industry refer to part of the 3D printing process as Additive Manufacturing (AM), but we’ll use its practical name here—3D Printing. This will keep the guide consistent and easy to read.

The Reasons for Several Types of 3D Printer

The reasons there are different types of 3D printers and printing processes are similar to that of the 2D printers we’re so familiar with. It all comes down to the following six considerations:

Printer cost
Print quality
Print speed
Printer capability
Practicality
User expectations

Some printers only print text—others text and graphics. The technologies and materials used also vary, and the way the machine extrudes ink to paper. 3D printers are even smarter. And like their 2D counterparts, they also offer a range of options including quality, materials, and price.

The 3D Printing Process in a Nutshell

The 3D printing process is no longer difficult for the home user once you grasp the basic principles. OK, so printers, printing materials, printed objects, and 3D printing software can all vary. Yet despite this, the process from design to end product follows a similar path. We’ve covered these processes in some detail in another guide, but here’s how it looks in a nutshell:

User has access to a 3D modeling application or a 3D scanner
User creates a virtual design (3D model) of the object they want to print in 3D
User typically saves their design as a Computer Aided Design file, or CAD for short
User slices their CAD file before sending it to the printer
User uploads the sliced CAD file to the 3D printer
Printer reads each slice in the 2D file to create the three dimensional object

Who Is this Guide For?

This simple guide is for those who want to understand the differences between different 3D printing types. It’s also for hobbyists, schools, libraries, and anyone else who wants to invest in this amazing technology. If you know nothing at all about 3D printing—but would like to learn—this guide is for YOU. Don’t worry, we’re not going to overwhelm you or blind you with science.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have a good, basic understanding of all the 3D printer types available today. If you’re thinking about investing in a 3D printer, we’ve got you covered. You’re going to be in a much better position to make a well-informed decision before parting with your hard earned cash.

The Focus of this Guide

This guide focuses on the most common types of 3D printers in use today. We’ll introduce each of these machines by their long names first. After that we’ll use the appropriate acronyms to keep the reading easy. For example, stereolithography becomes SLA. And Laminated Object Manufacturing becomes LOM, as two examples.

Here are the nine 3D printer types you will learn about:

Stereolithography (SLA)
Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Fused deposition Modeling (FDM)
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Electronic Beam Melting (EBM)
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
Binder Jetting (BJ)
Material Jetting (MJ)

The Basic Components of a 3D Printer

Before we begin to look at the various 3D printer types and printing practices, we’ll take a moment to list the main components of these machines. There are many parts, and each one plays a crucial role in the printing process. We’re not going to get too technical here. It’s still important, however, to know what the main components are. This will help you to better understand the printing processes as you read through the various sections.

The main components, and their use, in a 3D printer are:

3D Printer Frame: Holds the machine together
3D Printer Head movement mechanics: moves relative to the print bed in all directions
3D Printer Head: Nozzle that deposits filament or applies colors and liquid binder
3D Build Platform or Build Bed: The part of the printer where the object is printed
3D Printer Stepper Motors (at least 4): Used for precise positioning and speed control
3D Printer Electronics: Used to drive motors, heat the extruder and much more
3D Printer Firmware: Permanent software used to control every aspect of a 3D printer
3D Printer Software: Not part of the actual printer but still needed for the printing process

You can read a more in-depth explanation of the 3D printer components here.

3D Support Substances

Many 3D printers use various substances that support complex geometries. Support materials are as essential to the 3D printing process as the actual base materials. Without support during the build there would not be a successful outcome. These materials offer a better solution than the old physical support structures of the past. Once printing is complete, the user simply removes any support substance from the finished part.

Some 3D technologies use support materials that dissolve when placed into a chemical bath. Others will use the surrounding powder as a way to keep everything in place. And there are those which use a squidgy, gel-like substance. You will read about which printing process uses what kind of support materials in this guide.

1) Stereolithography (SLA) Technology

SLA is a fast prototyping process. Those who use this technology are serious about accuracy and precision. It can produce objects from 3D CAD data (computer-generated) files in just a few hours. This is a 3D printing process that’s popular for its fine details and exactness. Machines that use this technology produce unique models, patterns, prototypes, and various production parts. They do this by converting liquid photopolymers (a special type of plastic) into solid 3D objects, one layer at a time. The plastic is first heated to turn it into a semi-liquid form, and then it hardens on contact. The printer constructs each of these layers using an ultra violet laser, directed by X and Y scanning mirrors. Just before each print cycle, a recoater blade moves across the surface to ensure each thin layer of resin spreads evenly across the object. The print cycle continues in this way, building 3D objects from the bottom up.

Once completed, someone takes the 3D object from the printer and detaches it carefully from the platform. The 3D part will usually have a chemical bath to remove any excess resin. It’s also common practice to post-cure the object in an ultra violet oven. What this does is render the finished item stronger and more stable. Depending on the part, it may then go through a hand sanding process and have some professional painting done. SLA printing has become a favored economical choice for a wide variety of industries. Some of these include automotive, medical, aerospace, entertainment, and also to create various consumer products.

Some SLA printers include: 3D printer Pegasus Touch SLA technology, XYZprinting Nobel 1.0 SLA 3D Printer, SUNLU SLA Desktop 3D Printer, Form 1+ SLA 3D Printer.

2) Digital Light Processing (DLP) Technology

DLP is the oldest of the 3D printing technologies, created by a man called Larry Hornbeck back in 1987. It’s similar to SLA (see above), given that it also works with photopolymers. The liquid plastic resin used by the printer goes into a translucent resin container. There is, however, one major difference between the two, which is the source of light. While SLA uses ultra violet light, DLP uses a more traditional light source, usually arc lamps. This process results in pretty impressive printing speeds. When there’s plenty of light, the resin is quick to harden (we’re talking seconds). Compared to SLA 3D printing, DLP achieves quicker print times for most parts. The reason it’s faster is because it exposes entire layers at once. With SLA printing, a laser has to draw out each of these layers, and this takes time.

Another plus point for DLP printing technology is that it is robust and produces high resolution models every time. It’s also economical with the ability to use cheaper materials for even complex and detailed objects. This is something that not only reduces waste, but also keeps printing costs low.

Some DLP printers include: Makex M-one Desktop DLP 3d Printer, Desktop UV DLP, LumiPocket – Miniature DLP, Solus DLP 3D Printer

3) Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology

FDM is a 3D printing process developed by Scott Crump, and then implemented by Stratasys Ltd. , in the 1980s. It uses production grade thermal plastic materials to print its 3D objects. It’s popular for producing functional prototypes, concept models, and manufacturing aids. It’s a technology that can create accurate details and boasts an exceptional strength to weight ratio.

Before the FDM printing process begins, the user has to slice the 3D CAD data (the 3D model) into multiple layers using special software. The sliced CAD data goes to the printer which then builds the object layer at a time on the build platform. It does this simply by heating and then extruding the thermoplastic filament through the nozzle and onto the base. The printer can also extrude various support materials as well as the thermoplastic. For example, as a way to support upper layers, the printer can add special support material underneath, which then dissolves after the printing process. As with all 3D printers, the time it takes to print all depends on the objects size and its complexity.

Like many other 3D technologies, the finished object needs cleaning. Raw FDM parts can show fairly visible layer-lines on some objects. These will obviously need hand sanding and finishing after printing. This is the only way to get a smooth, end product with an even surface. FDM finished objects are both functional and durable. This makes it a popular process for use in a wide range of industries, including for mechanical engineering and parts manufacturers. BMW uses FDM 3D printing, as does the well-known food company Nestle, to name just a couple.

Some FDM printers include: JGAURORA 3d Desktop FDM Printer, ALUNAR High Resolution Desktop FDM 3D Printer, Original Prusa i3 MK2, PowerSpec 3D Pro, Lulzbot Mini, FlashForge Creator Pro.

4) Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Technology

An American businessman, inventor, and teacher named Dr. Carl Deckard developed and patented SLS technology in the mid-1980s. It’s a 3D printing technique that uses high power CO2 lasers to fuse particles together. The laser sinters powdered metal materials (though it can utilize other materials too, like white nylon powder, ceramics and even glass). Here’s how it works:

The build platform, or bed, lowers incrementally with each successive laser scan. It’s a process that repeats one layer at a time until it reaches the object’s height. There is un-sintered support from other powders during the build process that surround and protect the model. This means the 3D objects don’t need other support structures during the build. Someone will remove the un-sintered powders manually after printing. SLS produces durable, high precision parts, and it can use a wide range of materials. It’s a perfect technology for fully-functional, end-use parts and prototypes. SLS is quite similar to SLA technology with regards to speed and quality. The main difference is with the materials, as SLS uses powdered substances, whereas SLA uses liquid resins. It’s this wide variety of available materials that makes SLA technology so popular for printing customized objects.

Some SLA printers include: XYZprinting Nobel 1.0 SLA 3D Printer, SUNLU SLA Desktop 3D Printer, Formlabs Form 2, 3D Systems ProJet 1200, DWS Lab Xfab.

5) Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Technology

Image from Protoshape

SLM made its debut appearance back in 1995. It was part of a German research project at the Fraunhofer Institute ILT, located in the country’s most western city of Aachen. Like SLA (see above), SLM also uses a high-powered laser beam to form 3D parts. During the printing process, the laser beam melts and fuses various metallic powders together. The simple way to look at this is to break down the basic process like thus:

Powdered material + heat + precision + layered structure = a perfect 3D object.

As the laser beam hits a thin layer of the material, it selectively joins or welds the particles together. After one complete print cycle, the printer adds a new layer of powered material to the previous one. The object then lowers by the precise amount of the thickness of a single layer. When the print process is complete, someone will manually remove the unused powder from the object. The main difference between SLM and SLS is that SLM completely melts the powder, whereas SLS only partly melts it (sinters). In general, SLM end products tend to be stronger as they have fewer or no voids.

A common use for SLM printing is with 3D parts that have complex structures, geometries and thin walls. The aerospace industry uses SLM 3D printing in some of its pioneering projects. These are typically those which focus on precise, durable, lightweight parts. It’s a costly technology, though, and so not practical or popular with home users for that reason. SLM is quite widespread now among the aerospace and medical orthopedics industries. Those who invest in SLM 3D printers include researchers, universities, and metal powder developers. There are others too, who are keen to explore the full range and future potential of metal additive manufacturing in particular.

Some SLM industrial printers include: SLM Solutions SLM 125, 280, and 500, Realizer SLM 125, Optomec LENS 450, others.

6) Electron Beam Melting (EBM) Technology

A Swedish company called Arcam AB founded EBM^® in 1997. This is a 3D printing technology similar to SLM (see above), in that it uses a powder bed fusion technique. The difference between the two is the power source. The SLM approach above uses high-powered laser in a chamber of noble, or inert gas. EBM, on the other hand, uses a powerful electron beam in a vacuum. Aside from the power source, the remaining processes between the two are quite similar. EBM’s main use is to 3D print metal parts. Its main characteristics are its ability to achieve complex geometries with freedom of design. EBM also produces parts that are incredibly strong and dense in their makeup.

Here are a few of EBM’s other impressive features:

Doesn’t need extra auxiliary equipment for the 3D printing process
Has increased efficiency using raw materials
Lessens lead times resulting in parts getting to market faster
Can create fully functional, durable parts on demand for wide-ranging industries

The printing process starts like most others in that the user has to first create a 3D model, or computer-generated digital file.

An industrial EBM printer includes: Arcam Q20

7) Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) Technology

A Californian company called Helisys Inc. (now Cubic Technologies), first developed LOM as an effective and affordable method of 3D printing. A US design engineer called Michael Feygin—a pioneer in 3D printed technologies—originally patented LOM.

LOM is a rapid prototyping system that works by fusing or laminating layers of plastic or paper using both heat and pressure. A computer-controlled blade or laser cuts the object to the desired shape. Once each printed layer is complete, the platform moves down by about 1/16th of an inch, ready for the next layer. The printer then pulls a new sheet of material across the substrate where it’s adhered by a heated roller. This basic process continues over and over until the 3D part is complete.

According to Wikipedia, the LOM printing works as follows:

Sheet is adhered to a substrate with a heated roller.
Laser traces desired dimensions of prototype.
Laser cross hatches non-part area to facilitate waste removal.
Platform with completed layer moves down out of the way.
Fresh sheet of material is rolled into position.
Platform downs into new position to receive next layer.
The process is repeated.

It might not be the most popular method of 3D printing today, but LOM remains one of the fastest nonetheless. It’s also perhaps the most affordable method for creating 3D prototypes. The reason for this is because of the low cost of materials used (papers and plastics). It’s also a process that can create fairly large 3D printed objects. Those who continue to use LOM printers today include architects, artists, and product developers.

One popular LOM printer is: The Mcor Matrix

8) Binder Jetting (BJ) Technology

Image from Andrew Walraven

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) first invented BJ 3D printing. You may also hear this technology referred to in other names, including:

Powder bed printing
Inkjet 3D printing
Drop-on-powder
Binder jetting (BJ). This is the most popular name and the one we’ll use to refer to it.

BJ is a 3D printing process that uses two types of materials to build objects: a powder-based material (usually gypsum) and a bonding agent. As the name suggests, the “bonding” agent acts as a strong adhesive to attach (bond) the powder layers together. The printer nozzles extrude the binder in liquid form similar to a regular 2D inkjet printer. After completing each layer, the build plate lowers slightly to allow for the next one. This process repeats until the object reaches its required height.

The four popular materials used in BJ printing include:

Ceramics
Metals
Sand
Plastics

It’s not possible to get super high-resolution or overly rugged 3D objects with BJ printing, but there are other advantages. For example, these printers allow you to print parts in full color. To do this, you simply add color pigments to the binder, which typically include black, white, cyan, yellow, and magenta. This technology is still advancing, so expect more great things to come in the future. At the time of writing, some applications of BJ 3D printing include rapid prototyping, and various uses in the aerospace, automotive, and medical industries.

Some BJ printers include: Addwii Unveils The X1, ExOne R2, ZCorp Spectrum z510

9) Material Jetting (MJ) Polyjet and Wax Casting Technology

You will also hear Material Jetting referred to as wax casting. Unlike other 3D printing technologies, there isn’t a single inventor for MJ. In fact, up until recent times it’s been more of a technique than an actual printing process. It’s something jewelers have used for centuries. Wax casting has been a traditional process where the user produces high-quality, customizable jewelry. The reason it gets a mention here is because of the introduction of 3D printing. Thanks to the arrival of this technology, wax casting is now an automated process. Today, MJ 3D printers produce high-resolution parts, mainly for the dental and Jewelry industries,

For jewelers who want to experiment with various casts—as most jewelers do—MJ is now their leading 3D technology. At the time of writing, there are a few high-quality professional wax 3D printers on the market. Here’s how they work:

Once the 3D model (CAD file) is uploaded to the printer, it’s all systems go. The printer adds molten (heated) wax to the aluminum build platform in controlled layers. It achieves this using nozzles that sweep evenly across the build area. As soon as the heated material lands on the build plate it begins to cool down and solidify (UV light helps to cure the layers). As the 3D part builds up, a gel-like material helps to support the printing process of more complex geometries. Like all support materials in 3D printing, it’s easy to remove it afterward, either by hand or by using powerful water jets. Once the part is complete you can use it right away, no further post-curing necessary.

There are also Polyjet MJ 3D printers, which use photopolymer-resins rather than synthetic waxes. Polyjet technology also offers very good resolution. Unlike digital wax printers, people use Polyjet devices to create parts for a wide range of industries.

Some MJ printers include: ABS 3D printer, PLA 3D printer (large format), HP Multi Jet Fusion

Summing Up

3D printers and print technology is advancing all the time. As it does, prices will continue to fall as the devices and processes become ever more impressive. If you’ve read this guide from top to bottom, you will now have a good basic understanding of the different 3D printers and how they work. You will also know of the various materials printers use and the industries they support. And if you need a refresher, you can simply revisit any section of this guide at any time.

No Printer No Problem

Remember too, you don’t have to own a 3D printer to learn the technology or to print in 3D. There are plenty of free web-based 3D printing design & modeling software programs to choose from. Once you have your 3D design, you are good to go. You should be able to find someone in your local area with a 3D printer who will print your project for a nominal fee. Check out the schools, libraries or small startups at local co-working centers. Failing that, submit your 3D digital file online and let one of the 3D services print your model.

Warning; 3D printers should never be left unattended. They can pose a firesafety hazard.

What types of 3D printers are there? 3D printing technologies

This article does not pretend to be scientific, but rather a small introduction to 3D printing "for dummies".

What exactly do we mean by the concept of 3D printing?

In the early 1980s, new methods for the production of parts began to develop, based not on the removal of material, as in traditional machining technologies, but on the layer-by-layer production of a product according to a three-dimensional model obtained in CAD by adding materials in the form of plastic, ceramic, metal powders. and their bundles by thermal, diffusion or adhesive methods. And what does this mean in practice? That it became possible to create physical objects in a completely new way. nine0003

The first to patent this technology back in 1984 was Chuck Hull, who also created 3D Systems in 1986, which is still one of the industry leaders. The first commercial 3D printer, the 3D Systems SLA-1, was introduced in 1987.

Thus, we smoothly approach the story of the first and perhaps the most promising 3D printing technology today, namely photopolymer resin printing. Initially, this technology was called SLA, but over time, this name has become not entirely correct. nine0003

Photopolymer printing

The essence of photopolymer 3D printing is that a liquid photopolymer resin solidifies under the influence of light and forms a 3D model. Initially, a laser acted as a light source, and the technology was called SLA or stereolithography.

Despite the apparent simplicity, 3D Systems has spent more than 10 years to bring to market the first full-fledged commercial product. This required a shift in other technological products, such as solid-state lasers, which use a solid-state substance as an active medium. nine0003

Without going deep into the technological wilds, we can say that about 25 years of gradual development of this technology passed until 2013-2014, when SLA 3D printers cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and were available only to large companies, where they were also used very limitedly due to the high cost as equipment and materials.

Created in 2011, a startup called FormLabs reimagined Chuck Hull's ideas and developed the first desktop SLA 3D printer, which began selling for up to $3,000. Thus, it made it possible for a wide range of users to get involved in 3D printing. Over the years, FormLabs has delivered tens of thousands of its printers to market, avoided being taken over by larger players, and became the first 3D printing unicorn to be worth over $1 billion. This story was one of two turning points in the breakthrough made by 3D printing technology in recent years. But other companies also did not stand still and very soon realized that a laser as a light source for illuminating a photopolymer resin is not the only solution, and they proposed another way to form a model, which was called DLP (Digital Light Processing) .

Without going into technical details, it is important to note that the advantage of this technology lies in higher productivity due to the illumination of the entire layer at once, in contrast to the laser, which must physically illuminate the entire model, so it must be constantly moved. With a simple example, it is very easy to explain what this means. Suppose you need to print a ring, this task on printers of both technologies will take about the same time, but if you need to print 10 rings at once, DLP technology will take advantage. That is, with a DLP printer, you will print 10 rings in the same time as one, while an SLA printer will spend a certain time drawing each of the rings, although this will make it possible to achieve better quality. nine0003

A few numbers...

The Form2 SLA printer takes 11 hours and 22 minutes to print 55 models.

As a result, 12.4 minutes for one ring .

And the Uniz Slash Plus 3D printer, which is based on DLP technology, will spend only 3 hours 51 minutes printing 6 rings, it turns out one ring in 3.8 minutes . nine0003

DLP technology gained some popularity and began to compete with traditional SLA, but did not become a breakthrough, when suddenly a new revolution happened - LCD 3D printers appeared on the scene.

The principle of formation is even simpler, a powerful LED lamp, enhanced by a lens system, shines on an LCD matrix, which projects the desired image onto a polymer bath, where a 3D model is formed. nine0003

The creation of this technology in 2016 made it possible to reduce the price of a 3D printer by 10 times compared to the FormLabs Form 2 printer that was the hit of that time, the price for budget LCD 3D printers started from $300. This drastic cost reduction has greatly expanded the customer base and has given home users and small print studios the opportunity to try this technology for their needs.

What is its advantage over others, besides the price itself? nine0003

LCD, as well as DLP printers, illuminate the layer immediately, this gives them an advantage in performance, although at first users were faced with not very high quality of the models themselves. But with the advent of 3D printers with a 2K LCD matrix in 2019, and then a little later 4K, this problem was solved, and LCD printers today are superior both in speed and in the minimum layer thickness of their older brothers.

Vivid examples of 2K resolution printers are models - Elegoo Mars, Anycubic Photon S, Wanhao GR1, Phrozen Shuffle Lite, Phrozen Shuffle 2019, Phrozen Shuffle XL 2019, Phrozen Sonic, 4K - Phrozen Shuffle 4K, Phrozen Transform.

The introduction of 8K sensors in the near future, as well as the use of special monochrome sensors that increase print speed, will make this technology dominant in the 3D printer market.

PHOTOPOLYMER 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGIES:

I hope I was able to convey to you the essence of the differences between these technologies, but now, in fact, I want to tell you why SLA / DLP / LCD 3D printing is most often chosen. Here it is immediately worth dividing printers into industrial and desktop. nine0003

industrial 3D printers are mainly used for large-scale prototyping, as well as small-scale production and mold making. With a sufficiently high productivity and good quality of the final products, this equipment is used in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, and also for printing massive objects, such as this mammoth bone, printed by Materialize in cooperation with the Belgian Royal Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels. nine0003

Desktop SLA/DLP/LCD printers are widely used, primarily in such areas as dentistry, jewelry, ship and aircraft modeling, as well as the manufacture of unique gifts and souvenirs. You can read more about this in our articles on these topics.

The use of a 3D printer in dentistry

3D printing in prototyping

The use of a 3D printer in jewelry nine0003

3D printing in small-scale production

High detail and high-quality finish makes this 3D printing technology an excellent tool for solving numerous problems that previously had to be solved in much more time-consuming and expensive ways in the areas of activity that I mentioned above.

Photopolymer printing on a 3D printer in dentistry. nine0003

Photopolymer 3D printing in jewelry. On the right is a 3D printed master model of the bracelet.

Photopolymer printing for prototyping

3D Resin Printing Souvenirs

FDM 3D Printing Development Path

The second father of 3D printing can be safely called S. Scott Crump, who at 19In 1988, he patented FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology, and in 1989, together with his wife, he created Stratasys, which is still one of the main companies in the industry.

The abbreviation FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) is also often used for this technology, but this should not mislead you. The essence of the technologies is the same, but the names are different in order to avoid patent disputes. nine0003

So, what, in fact, was invented. The essence of the idea was that a plastic thread is fed into an extruder, where it melts at a high temperature and forms a model in layers through a small nozzle.

Based on this invention, Stratasys began to produce industrial 3D printers, which were mainly used as well as the first SLA machines in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, and with the advent of various durable plastics such as polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherimide (PEI, Ultem), polyphenylsulfone (PPSF/PPSU), and for functional prototyping. This technology did not become widespread until more than 20 years later, the RepRap (Replicating Rapid Prototyper) project, a self-replicating mechanism for rapid prototyping, appeared. nine0003

The original idea was to create a 3D printer that another 3D printer could print, in this photo all the plastic parts of the "child" are printed on the "parent". In fact, something completely different happened - a group of enthusiasts were able to create a budget 3D printer for home or office use. The idea was quickly picked up by three geeks from New York, who created the MakerBot company and began commercial production of desktop FDM 3D printers. This was the second turning point in the modern history of 3D printing. nine0003

The cost of printers was about $1000, and this price became quite acceptable for many enthusiasts, technologists, engineers and students who are passionate about the idea of 3D printing.

In 2013, MakerBot was taken over by Stratasys for a record $400 million. The result of all this was that the world received a very interesting technology for creating physical objects. A huge advantage of FDM technology is its cheapness and a large selection of printing materials, which began to appear in large quantities after the start of the spread of 3D printing. FDM printers primarily spread among home users, who began numerous experiments with printing at home, you can read more about this in the article 3D printing as a hobby. nine0003

In addition, FDM printing has found its main professional application - prototyping. With the introduction of 3D printing into this process, it will never be the same again. Prototyping has become significantly cheaper and faster, and this made it possible to try many more ideas from engineers to create the highest quality and thoughtful products, more about this can also be found in the article 3D printing in prototyping. There are also active efforts to introduce FDM 3D printing into small-scale production, and this story took an unexpected turn during the COVID-19 epidemic. when doctors urgently needed to produce parts for ventilators, as well as mask holders for doctors who are forced to wear them all day.

FDM 3D printing was able to fully demonstrate its main advantages compared to classical production, namely the speed of modeling a new model and launching it into series in the shortest possible time, less than one day.

Another major advantage of FDM printing is the wide choice of materials, ranging from biodegradable PLA plastic to materials such as PEEK, which can be sterilized at high temperature and pressure. nine0003

In the near future, we expect the widespread introduction of so-called "3D printing farms", which will be able to implement the concept of "flexible production", the essence of which is that such a farm can produce any available product, and not specialize in the manufacture of any specific products. , as happens in a classic production. Today it can be spare parts for old models of railway cars, and tomorrow it can be medical mask holders or souvenir cups for competition winners or plastic end caps for furniture. nine0003

In the meantime, let's continue our story about the different types of 3D printing that arose in parallel with the development of the two mainstream technologies that I have already talked about. Many engineers and entrepreneurs in different countries and companies have realized that it is possible to start using the principles of 3D printing using other materials and ways of forming models, and this is what they came up with.

Other 3D printing

SLM (Selective Laser Melting) - selective laser melting, also known as DMLM and LPBF. The principle of 3D printing here is that, under the influence of a powerful laser, metal powder melts and forms a 3D model. This allows you to create models of complex shapes and high strength, most of all this technology has been used in aerospace and medicine. A rocket is not a mass product, and some elements are much more convenient and more profitable to print on a 3D printer than to mill or cast.

Pictured above is the world's largest printed rocket engine. It was printed on the SLM 800 printer by SLM Solutions for the British aerospace company Orbex. The engine is manufactured as an all-metal nickel alloy product. SLM 3DSLM 3D printing has reduced time by 90% and costs by 50% compared to CNC machines.

In medicine, metal 3D printing has begun to be used to create individual titanium implants made directly for a particular patient, which significantly increases the chances of recovery. nine0003

EBM (Electron Beam Melting) - electron beam melting. This is a technology similar to SLS/DMLS, only here the object is formed by melting a metal powder with an electron beam in a vacuum.

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) is selective laser sintering, another very interesting technology. The model formation process here is the same as in SLM, but instead of metal powder, polyamide or nylon powder is used. This makes it possible to form very strong, wear-resistant products of complex shapes, which, first of all, can be used as functional prototypes of future metal or durable plastic products. nine0003

SLS Printed Engine Manifold

SLS printed furniture

MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) is an original technology developed by HP that essentially repeats the principle of SLS, but does not use a laser. This gives the printer a certain performance advantage over laser technology, as it bakes the layer immediately, just as it does with LCD 3D printers, which we wrote about in detail earlier in this article. Being one of the world's technology giants, HP quickly broke into the small 3D printing market and quickly took a large share in the industrial equipment segment, unfortunately, as of 2020, HP has not started shipping its 3D printers to the Russian market. nine0003

Surgical instrument and cylinder block printed on MJF printer

PolyJet is a technology similar to conventional inkjet printing. Liquid polymer is fired through many tiny nozzles onto the surface of the printing platform, after which they are cured using ultraviolet radiation. Using this technology, you can create high-quality full-color layouts and prototypes with the highest level of detail and finish quality comparable to industrial serial samples. Unfortunately, the high cost of equipment and materials does not allow a wider implementation of this technology. nine0003

MJM (Multi Jet Modeling) is a multi-jet modeling technology similar to PolyJet, but wax can also be used as a material. The technology was developed by 3D Systems, therefore, for reasons of patent protection, it has a different name. Wax printing is widely used in the jewelry business for making individual models to order and creating master models. There are also specialized printers from SolidScape that print with a two-component wax for subsequent melting of the support material in hot water. nine0003

CJP (Color Jet Printing) is a technology, the essence of which is layer-by-layer gluing and coloring of powder based on gypsum or plastic. With this technology, you can create full-color products, and this is most often used for printing architectural models and figures of people. The cost of printing in this case is lower than with PolyJet technology, which gives more opportunities for its wider use.

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LOM (Laminated object manufacturing) - a technology similar to CJP, but here the building materials are paper, each sheet of which is glued to the previous one, painted with an inkjet printer and perforated. This gives a full color 3D model and is also well suited for architectural and decorative models.

Another technology with great prospects is the combined technology of metal 3D printing, which combines 3 stages of creating a model: printing on an FDM printer with a special composite thread, where metal and polymer are mixed in certain proportions, melting the polymer and baking the metal model. Based on this technology, the American companies DeskTop Metal and MarkForged have already created their commercial models of 3D printers and started selling them both in America and Europe, but so far the technology is very crude and does not guarantee good quality of finished products. But its huge advantage is the significantly lower price of both printers and finished products. These systems have not yet been delivered to Russia, so we are waiting for the opportunity to independently evaluate their quality and effectiveness. In the next few years, this technology may become the most popular of all possible 3D printing methods. nine0003

Studio System+ by Desktop Metal

How it works:

3D printing with ceramics is also a promising direction in various industries. There are a number of companies that produce equipment that prints ceramic models. Various manufacturers use the already mentioned DLP and SLA for this, as a slightly adapted multi-jet simulation technology Ceramic binder jetting (CBJ) . This seal is used in dentistry, jewelry, as well as to create high-quality prototypes with the necessary functional properties. Also, on the basis of FDM printers, printers are being created that print with clay to create ceramic products in a new way. For example, the Italian company WASP has been offering such systems for several years based on its delta printers that print with plastic filament.

nine0005 Construction 3D printers essentially also use the same construction principle as in FDM printers, only liquid concrete is applied instead of a molten filament. This makes it possible to build the walls of a 100 square meter house in about 3 days, which is significantly faster than standard construction methods and, in addition, it makes it possible to create objects of complex shapes. Of course, this direction is promising, but today it has not been widely used, although in China construction 3D printers were used to quickly build autonomous blocks for self-isolation of patients with mild coronavirus, who did not get a place in hospitals, but they were at home dangerous. An interesting fact is that the most promising housing project on Mars is also recognized as a 3D printing method. nine0003

House printed by an Irkutsk company in Dubai in 3 days

Coronavirus boxes in China. 15 rooms were made in 1 day.

Food 3D printing is another way to use FDM technology, only here the material is edible raw materials. Chocolate printers are the most widely used. The tempered chocolate enters the extruder and forms a 3D model in layers through the nozzle. Because chocolate, unlike plastic, is a very delicate material, so it is not so easy to print with it, although it makes it possible to quickly create customized culinary masterpieces or desserts of unusual shapes. In addition to chocolate, it is possible to print using puree, dough or jam. This technology is still at an early stage of development, and perhaps in the near future we will see more advanced equipment that can be used more widely. One of the representatives of 3D printers for printing chocolate is Choc Creator. nine0003

And last but not least, the kind of 3D printing that has very high hopes for the future is 3D bioprinting . At its core, this is a layer-by-layer printing, where living cells act as a material. This is a relatively new type of 3D printing, the first experiments were carried out in 2000 by bioengineer Thomas Boland, who modified conventional desktop printers to print DNA fragments. For 20 years, this industry has stepped far forward, and now, in addition to prototypes of human organs, implants, vascular tubes, heart valves, auricles, cartilage, bone tissue and skin for subsequent transplantation are successfully printed. This type of printing has been successfully used to create "simulators" for doctors, on which they can rehearse operations or for students for live practice. And, of course, one of the main purposes of bioprinting is to print functioning internal organs for transplantation from the patient's biomaterial. So far, this direction is at the stage of development and testing and is not fully used to treat patients, but a large number of successful experiments have already been carried out. Like the heart seal by Israeli scientists in 2019year, while very tiny in size, but the main thing is that it is able to perform its functions. Also, bioprinting has great prospects in the experimental testing of medicines produced by pharmaceutical companies.

Of course, I did not manage to cover all 3D printing technologies in this article, but even if you are not a technical expert, you can get a first idea of 3D printing, its various technologies and methods of application. If you are interested in the use of 3D printing in your work or hobby, please contact the specialists of our company and we will always be happy to advise you further. nine0003

Alexander Kornweitz

3D printing market expert

Types of 3D printers and their characteristics

In the previous article, we made a kind of introduction to the world of 3D printers. Now it's time to dig a little deeper into this technology, learn more about the secrets that these commands hide, as well as the types of 3D printers that exist. Something vital in choosing the right one as they all have their advantages and disadvantages so there will always be one that suits your needs more. nine0003

Index

1 Types of 3D printers by printing technology

1.1 Main families
1.2 Polymer and/or optical 3D printers
- 1.2.1 SLA (stereolithography) sintering S1.LS5
- 1.2.3 DLP (Digital Light Processing)
- 1.2.4 MSLA (Mask SLA)
- 1.2.5 DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) or DMLS (PolyJet Direct Metal Laser Sintering)
Extrusion or Deposition 1.3 (injection)
- 1.3.1 FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
- 1.3.2 FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication)
1.4 Other types of advanced 3D printers
- 1. 4.1 MJF (MultiJet Fusion) or MultiJet Fusion )
- 1.4.2 SLM (selective laser melting)
- 1.4.3 EBM (electron beam melting)
- 1.4.4 BJ (jet bonding)
- 1.4.5 Concrete or 3DCP
- 1.4.7 DOD (Drop on Demand)
- 1.4.8 MME (extrusion of metal materials)
- 1.4.9 UAM (ultrasound additive production)

1.5 Biopetiya 2

2.1 Metal 3D printers
2.2 Food 3D printers
2.3 Plastic 3D printers
2.4 Biomaterials
2.5 Composites and hybrids According to use

Ink : This is not ordinary ink, but a powdered compound such as cellulose or gypsum. The printer will build a model from this dust conglomerate.

advantage	flaws
Inexpensive way to produce in high volumes.	Parts that are very brittle and require hardening.

Laser/LED (optics) : technology used in resin 3D printers. They mainly contain liquid in the tank and undergo laser treatment to harden the resin and UV curing to cure. This makes the resin (acrylic-based photopolymer) turn into a solid piece with the desired shape. nine0356

advantage	flaws
You can print very complex forms.	They are expensive.
Very high print accuracy.	More designed for industrial or professional use.
Excellent surface finish requiring little or no post-treatment.	They can give off toxic fumes and are therefore not very suitable for the home. nine0466

Injection : those that mainly use filaments (usually thermoplastic) such as PLA, ABS, Tuvalu, nylon, etc. The idea behind this family is to create shapes by depositing melted layers of these materials (they can be very diverse). The result is a solid part, albeit slower and less accurate than a laser.

advantage	flaws
models available.	They are slow.
Recommended for hobbyists, home use and education.	They form the model in layers, and depending on the thickness of the thread, the finish may be of less quality.
Variety of materials to choose from.	Some parts rely on supports that must be printed to hold the part.
Reliable results.	They need additional post-processing. nine0466
There are many brands and models to choose from.

Some specific 3D printers, such as concrete or bioprinters, may be based on one of these families, but with some modifications.

Once these families are known, in the following sections we will learn more about each of them and the technologies that may exist.

Polymer and/or optical 3D printers

Las- Polymer and optical 3D printers They are among the most difficult and give the best results in their finishing, but they are also usually much more expensive. In addition, in some cases, they will also need additional machines such as washing and curing, since these functions are not integrated into the printer itself (or in cases where cleaning parts in MCLA is cumbersome).

washed : A wash process is required after printing a 3D part. But instead of brushing and spraying the part, you can take the finished part off the build platform and use the washing machines. They will act like automatic car washes with a propeller that rotates under the action of a magnet inside and stirs the cleaning liquid (a tank full of isopropyl alcohol -IPA-) inside a hermetically sealed cabin. nine0356
Care : after cleaning, the part must also be cured, ie exposure to ultraviolet rays, which change the properties of the polymer and harden. To do this, the curing station removes the part from the cleaning liquid in which it has been immersed, dries it, turning it in all directions. Once this is done, the UV LED panel will begin to cure the part as if it were an oven.

SLA (stereolithography)

Esta stereolithography technique is a fairly old method that has been reworked for 3D printers. A photosensitive liquid resin is used, which hardens where the laser beam hits. In this way, layers are created until the finished product is obtained.

advantage	flaws
Smooth surface.	High cost.
Ability to print complex patterns.	Less environmentally friendly. nine0466
Best for small parts.	Post-print curing process required.
Quick	You cannot print large parts.
Variety of materials to choose from.	These printers are not the most durable and reliable.
Compact and easy to transport.

SLS (selective laser sintering)

This is another process selective laser sintering similar to DLP and SLA, but powder will be used instead of liquid. The laser beam will melt and adhere the dust particles layer by layer until the final model is formed. The advantage of this method is that you can use many different materials (nylon, metal, etc.) to create parts that are difficult to create with traditional methods such as molds or extrusion.

advantage	flaws
Batch printing can be done in a simple way.	Limited number of materials.
Printing price is relatively affordable.	This prevents material from being recycled.
Does not require supports.	Potential health risks.
Highly detailed parts.	Pieces are brittle.
Good for experimental use.	Post-processing is complex.
You can print larger parts.

DLP (Digital Light Processing)

This Digital Light Processing is another type of 3D printing similar to SLA that also uses light curing liquid photopolymers. However, the difference lies in the light source, which in this case is a digital projection screen that focuses on the points where the resin needs to cure, which speeds up the printing process compared to SLA. nine0003

advantage	flaws
Fast print speed.	Unsafe consumables.
Excellent accuracy.	Consumables are expensive.
This may be good for a variety of applications.
3D printer at a low price.

MSLA (Masked SLA)

It is based on SLA technology and shares many of its features, but is type Masked SLA technology. That is, an LED matrix is used as a source of UV radiation. In other words, it has an LCD screen that emits light that matches the shape of the layer, exposing all the resin at once and allowing for faster printing speeds. That is, the screen projects slices or slices.

advantage	flaws
Smooth surface.	High cost.
Ability to print complex patterns.	Less environmentally friendly.
Print speed.	Post-print curing process required.
Variety of materials to choose from.	You cannot print large parts.
Compact and easy to transport.	These printers are not the most durable and reliable. nine0466

DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) or

In this case, it generates objects similar to SLS, but the difference is that the powder does not melt, but is heated by a laser to a point where can fuse at the molecular level . Stresses tend to make parts somewhat brittle, although they can be post-heat treated to make them stronger. This technology is widely used in industry for the manufacture of metal or alloy parts. nine0003

advantage	flaws
Very useful industrially.	faces.
They can be used to print metal parts.	They are usually large.
Does not require supports.	Parts may be fragile.
Highly detailed parts.	Requires post-treatment that includes annealing to fuse metals or other materials. nine0466
You can print different sizes of parts.

Extrusion or deposition (injection)

When we talk about the family of printers using deposition methods Using material extruders, the following technologies can be distinguished: molten material build the object layer by layer. When the filament is heated and melted, it passes through the extruder and the head moves in the XY coordinates specified in the print model file. For another dimension, use the Z offset for successive layers. nine0003

advantage	flaws
Closed.	These are large machines for industry.
Large variety of materials to choose from.	They are not cheap.
Good quality finish.	They need more maintenance.

FFF (Fused Thread Making)

Differences between FDM and FFF? Although sometimes used as a synonym, FDM is a term that refers to technology developed by Stratasys in 1989 year. In contrast, the term FFF has similarities but was coined by the creators of RepRap in 2005.

With the popularization of 3D printers and FDM patent expires in 2009 , paved the way for new low cost printers with very similar technology called FFF:

FDM : large and enclosed machines for use in mechanical engineering and high quality results.
FFF : open printers, cheaper, with poorer and more inconsistent results for applications that require parts with very specific properties. nine0356

advantage	flaws
They are inexpensive.	Rough surface details.
Thread can be reused.	Warping (deformation) occurs frequently. That is, the part of the object you are printing is curved upward due to the temperature difference between the layers.
They are simple.	The nozzle tends to clog.
There is a wide choice of materials.	They take a long time to print.
They are compact and easy to transport.	Layer misalignment issues due to lack of adhesion between layers.
You can find them ready-made or in kits.	Soft spot.
	Bed or support needs frequent calibration.

Other advanced 3D printers

In addition to the above types of 3D printers or printing technologies, there are others that may not be popular for home use, but are of interest to industry or research

Another 3D printing technology you can find is MJF or simply MJ. As the name suggests, it is a process that uses 9 material injection0348 . The types of 3D printers that use this printing method are primarily designed for the jewelry industry, delivering high quality by injecting hundreds of tiny droplets of photopolymer and then going through a curing (hardening) process with UV (ultraviolet) light.

advantage flaws

Fast print speed. There are currently no ceramic materials for sale. nine0466

Suitable for business use. The technology is not very common.

High degree of automation of the printing and post-processing process.

SLM (Selective Laser Melting)

This is an advanced technology with a very powerful laser source, and this type of 3D printer is quite expensive and therefore intended for professional use. In a sense, they are similar to SLS optical technology selectively laser-fused. Very used in to selectively melt the metal powder and create very strong parts layer by layer to avoid certain post-processing.

advantage flaws

You can print complex metal parts. Limited number of materials.

The result is a precise and durable part. They are expensive and big.

Does not require supports. Its power consumption is high.

Suitable for industrial use.

EBM (electron beam melting)

technology electron beam fusion is an additive manufacturing process very similar to SLM and deeply rooted in the aerospace industry. It is also capable of producing very dense and strong models, but the difference is that instead of a laser, an electron beam is used to melt the metal powder. This technology for industrial use can result in melting at 1000ºC. nine0003

advantage flaws

You can print complex metal parts. A very limited number of materials as currently it can only be used on certain metals such as cobalt-chromium or titanium alloys.

The result is a precise and durable part. They are expensive and big.

Does not require supports. nine0466 Its power consumption is high.

Suitable for industrial use. Qualified personnel and protective measures are required for their use.

BJ

This is another type of 3D printer with industrial level technology. In this case it is use the powder as a base for parts, with a binder to form layers. That is, it uses material powders along with a kind of adhesive that will later be removed so that only the base material remains. These types of printers can use materials such as gypsum, cement, metal particles, sand, and even polymers. nine0003

advantage flaws

Large selection of parts materials. They may be large.

You can print large objects. They are expensive.

Does not require supports. Not suitable for home use.

Suitable for industrial use. It may be necessary to adapt the model to each specific case. nine0466

Concrete or 3DCP

This type of printing is of growing interest in the construction industry . 3DCP stands for 3D Concrete Printing, that is, 3D printing of cement. Computerized process for creating structures from cement by extrusion to form layers and thus build walls, houses, etc.

advantage flaws

They can build structures quickly. nine0466 They may be large.

They are of great interest to the construction industry. They are expensive and complex.

They could allow the construction of cheaper and more sustainable housing. The 3D printer will need to be adapted in each case.

An important development for the colonization of other planets.

LOM (Production of laminated objects)

LOM includes some types of 3D printers that are used for rolling production . This uses fabrics, sheets of paper, sheets or metal plates, plastics, etc., stacking sheet by sheet for layers and using glue to join them, in addition to using industrial cutting methods to create the shape, such as can be laser cut.

advantage flaws

They can build strong structures. These are not compact 3D printers.

Possibility to choose between very different raw materials. They are expensive and complex.

They may have applications in the aviation industry or in the competition sector for certain composites. They need qualified personnel.

DOD (Drop on Demand)

Another technique drop on demand 9The 0348 uses two "jet" jets, one of which applies the building material for the object and the other for the soluble material for the supports. Thus, he builds layer by layer, using additional modeling tools such as a fly swatter that polishes the area under construction. In this way, a perfectly flat surface is achieved, which is why it is widely used in industries where greater precision is required, such as in the manufacture of molds.

advantage flaws

Ideal for industrial use. They may be large.

High precision finish. They are expensive and complex.

They can print large objects. They need qualified personnel.

Does not require supports. Somewhat limited materials.

MME (metal extrusion)

This method is very similar to FFF or FDM, ie it consists of extruding a polymer. The difference is that this polymer has a high content of metal powder. Therefore, when creating a mold, it is possible to perform post-processing (separation and sintering) to create a solid metal part.

UAM (Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing)

This other method uses metal sheets that are stacked layer by layer and fused together. nine0347 ultrasonido for blending surfaces and creating a solid part.

bioprinting

Finally, among the types of 3D printers, one cannot fail to note one of the most advanced and interesting for medical applications, among other applications in the industry. About bioprinting technology , which may be based on some of the previous methods, but with features. For example, there are cases where they are based on layer-by-layer deposition, bio inkjet printing (bio ink), laser bio printing, compression molding, microextrusion, SLA, direct cell extrusion, magnetic technologies, etc. Everything will depend on how you want to use it, since each of them has its own potential advantages and limitations. nine0003
3D bioprinting three main steps which are:

Pre-bioprinting : This is the process of creating a model such as 3D modeling using 3D printing software. But in this case, more complex steps are needed to obtain said model with tests such as biopsy, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging, etc. In this way, you can get a model that will be sent to print.
nine0353 bioprinting : when various necessary materials are used, such as liquid solutions with cells, matrices, nutrients, bioink, etc., and they are placed in a print cartridge to make the printer start creating a tissue, organ or object.
Post-bioprinting : This is a pre-printing process, as with 3D printing, there are also various previous processes. They may consist in the creation of a stable structure, tissue maturation, vasculature, etc. In many cases, this requires bioreactors. nine0356

advantage flaws

Live tissue printing capability. Complexity.

This could solve the problem of lack of organs for transplantation. The cost of this advanced equipment.

Eliminate the need for animal testing. The need for pre-processing in addition to post-processing.

Speed and accuracy. Still at the experimental stage.

3D printer types by materials

provided they have similar characteristics such as melting point, etc.), just like a regular printer can use different types of paper. nine0003
Metal 3D printers

Not all metals are suitable for different types of 3D printers. In fact, using some of the technologies discussed above, you can only deal with some of them. To most common metal powders Additive manufacturing uses:

Stainless steel (various types)

Tool steel (different carbon composition)

Titanium alloys.

Aluminum alloys. nine0356
Nickel-based superalloys such as Inconel (an austenitic Ni-Cr alloy).

Cobalt-chromium alloys.

Copper based alloys.

Precious metals (gold, silver, platinum,…).

Exotic metals (palladium, tantalum,…).

3D food printers

Source: REUTERS/Amir Cohen.

Increasingly, you can find 3D printers for food production using additive manufacturing methods. In this case, the most common are:

Functional components (prebiotics, probiotics, minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, phytochemicals and other antioxidants).

Fiber.

Fats

Various types of carbohydrates such as flour and sugar.

Proteins (animal or vegetable) for meat texture.

Hydrogels such as gelatin and alginate.

Chocolates.

Plastic 3D printers

Of course, one of the most commonly used materials for 3D printing, especially for home 3D printers, is polymers :

Since they are so popular and numerous, we will dedicate an article specifically for them.

Plastics such as PLA, ABS, PET, PC, etc.

High performance polymers such as PEEK, PEKK, ULTEM, etc.

Textile-type synthetic polyamides such as nylon or nylon.

Water soluble such as HIPS, PVA, BVOH, etc.

Flexible like TPE or TPU like silicone mobile phone cases. nine0356
Polymerization resins.

Also, if you are going to use a 3D printer to print food items such as cups, glasses, plates, cutlery, etc., you should know that food safe plastic :

PLA, PP, copolyester, PET, PET-G, HIPS, Nylon 6, ABS, ASA and PEI. If you'll be using them for dishwasher or higher temperatures, steer clear of nylon, PLA and PET as they tend to warp at 60-70ºC. nine0356

Biomaterials

Source: BloodBusiness.com

About 3D bioprinting , you can also find a wide selection of products and materials:

synthetic polymers.

Poly-L-lactic acid.

Biomolecules such as DNA.

Low viscosity bioink with cells in suspension (specific cells or stem cells). With hyaluronic acid, collagen, etc.

Denture metals.

Proteins

Composites.

Gelatin-agarose.

photosensitive materials.

Acrylic and epoxy resins.

Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)

Polyglycolic acid (PGA)

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

Polyurethane

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)

Polylactic Glycolic Acid (PLGA)

Kitosano

Other pastes, hydrogels and liquids.

Composites and hybrids

There are other hybrid compounds for 3D printers, although they tend to be more exotic and very diverse:

PLA based (70% PLA + 30% other materials) such as wood, bamboo, wool, cork, etc.

Composites (carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar, etc.).

Alumina (a mixture of polymers and aluminum powders).

Ceramics. Some examples are porcelain, terracotta, etc.

Metal oxides: alumina, zircon, quartz, etc.

Non-oxide based: silicon carbides, aluminum nitride, etc.

Bioceramics: e.g. hydroxyapatite (HA), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), etc.

Cement-based compounds such as various types of mortars and concretes.

Nanomaterials and smart materials.

And many other innovative materials coming soon.

According to usage

Last but not least, different types of 3D printers can also be cataloged. nine0347 according to the use of which will give:

Industrial 3D printers

Las industrial 3D printers This is a special type of printer. Usually they have advanced technology, as well as significantly larger sizes and a price of thousands of euros. They are designed for industrial use to be produced quickly, accurately and in large quantities. And they can be used in sectors such as aeronautics, electronics and semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, construction, aerospace, motorsport, etc.

prices for industrial 3d printers can range from 4000 € to 300.000 € in some cases depending on the size, brand, model, materials and features.

Large 3D printers

Although this type of large 3D printer can be included in the industrial, it is true that there are some models designed for use outside the industry, for example, some printers capable of printing large parts for those manufacturers those who need it, for small companies, etc. I mean those models that are not as big and expensive as industrial ones, such as Anycubic Chiron, Snapmaker 3D, Tronxy X5SA, Tevo Tornado, Creality CR 10S, Dremer DigiLab 3D20 etc.

Cheap 3D printers

advantage	flaws
Fast print speed.	There are currently no ceramic materials for sale. nine0466
Suitable for business use.	The technology is not very common.
High degree of automation of the printing and post-processing process.

advantage	flaws
You can print complex metal parts.	Limited number of materials.
The result is a precise and durable part.	They are expensive and big.
Does not require supports.	Its power consumption is high.
Suitable for industrial use.

advantage	flaws
You can print complex metal parts.	A very limited number of materials as currently it can only be used on certain metals such as cobalt-chromium or titanium alloys.
The result is a precise and durable part.	They are expensive and big.
Does not require supports. nine0466	Its power consumption is high.
Suitable for industrial use.	Qualified personnel and protective measures are required for their use.

advantage	flaws
Large selection of parts materials.	They may be large.
You can print large objects.	They are expensive.
Does not require supports.	Not suitable for home use.
Suitable for industrial use.	It may be necessary to adapt the model to each specific case. nine0466

advantage	flaws
They can build structures quickly. nine0466	They may be large.
They are of great interest to the construction industry.	They are expensive and complex.
They could allow the construction of cheaper and more sustainable housing.	The 3D printer will need to be adapted in each case.
An important development for the colonization of other planets.

advantage	flaws
They can build strong structures.	These are not compact 3D printers.
Possibility to choose between very different raw materials.	They are expensive and complex.
They may have applications in the aviation industry or in the competition sector for certain composites.	They need qualified personnel.

advantage	flaws
Ideal for industrial use.	They may be large.
High precision finish.	They are expensive and complex.
They can print large objects.	They need qualified personnel.
Does not require supports.	Somewhat limited materials.

advantage	flaws
Live tissue printing capability.	Complexity.
This could solve the problem of lack of organs for transplantation.	The cost of this advanced equipment.
Eliminate the need for animal testing.	The need for pre-processing in addition to post-processing.
Speed and accuracy.	Still at the experimental stage.

Lots of mounting kits 3D printers for home use, or a few open source projects like Prusa, Lulzbot, Voron, SeeMeCNC, BigFDM, Creality Ender, Ultimaker, etc. ., as well as other brands selling compact 3D printers, have also brought 3D printing to many homes. What only a few companies could afford before can now be priced like ordinary printers.

Typically these printers are is for private use, such as DIY enthusiasts or makers, or some freelancers who need to build certain models from time to time. But they are not designed to create large models, neither in bulk nor quickly. And, for the most part, they are made of resin or plastic filament.

3d pencil

Finally, to end this article, I didn't want to leave myself behind. 3D pencils . They are not a type of 3D printer per se, but they have a common purpose and can be very practical for making some simple models, for kids, etc.

they have a very cheap price and basically are tiny pen shaped portable 3D printers. with which you can make drawings with volume. They usually use plastic filaments such as PLA, ABS, etc.

How many types of 3d printers are there

Types of 3D Printers, 3D Printing Materials, and Applications

Types of 3D Printers: Complete Guide

The Reasons for Several Types of 3D Printer

The 3D Printing Process in a Nutshell

Who Is this Guide For?

The Focus of this Guide

The Basic Components of a 3D Printer

3D Support Substances

1) Stereolithography (SLA) Technology

2) Digital Light Processing (DLP) Technology

3) Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology

4) Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Technology

5) Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Technology

6) Electron Beam Melting (EBM) Technology

7) Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) Technology

8) Binder Jetting (BJ) Technology

9) Material Jetting (MJ) Polyjet and Wax Casting Technology

Summing Up

No Printer No Problem

What types of 3D printers are there? 3D printing technologies

Types of 3D printers and their characteristics

Polymer and/or optical 3D printers

SLA (stereolithography)

SLS (selective laser sintering)

DLP (Digital Light Processing)

Extrusion or deposition (injection)

FFF (Fused Thread Making)

Other advanced 3D printers

SLM (Selective Laser Melting)

EBM (electron beam melting)

BJ

Concrete or 3DCP

LOM (Production of laminated objects)

DOD (Drop on Demand)

MME (metal extrusion)

UAM (Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing)

bioprinting

3D printer types by materials

Metal 3D printers

3D food printers

Plastic 3D printers

Biomaterials

Composites and hybrids

According to usage

Industrial 3D printers

Large 3D printers

Cheap 3D printers

3d pencil

Learn more