Technolog

Stereolithogr
aphy

Abbreviati
on
Max build
chamber
(cm)
Speed
Accuracy
Surface
Finish
Strengths

SLA

Fused
Deposition
modelling
FDM

Selective laser
sintering

SLS

Laminated
Object
Manufacturi
ng
LOM

3D Printing

Direct metal
laser sintering

3DP

DMLS

50 x 50 x 60

60 x 50 x 60

70 x 38 x 58

Average
Very good
Very good

Poor
Fair
Fair

Good
Fair
Fair

Excellent
Fair
Fair

Fast
Good
Good

Large part size,

Accuracy

Office ok price
materials

Average to good
Good
Good to very
good
Accuracy,
materials

Cheap
materials

Very detailed
parts

Weakness

Post
processing,
messy liquids

speed

Size and weight,

system price,
surface finish.

Typical
applicatio
ns

Very detailed
parts and
models for fit &
form testing.

Detailed parts and

models for fit &
form testing using
engineering
plastics

Slightly less
detailed parts
and models for
fit & form testing
compared to
photopolymerbased methods

Accuracy and
warps,
Few
applications
Not so
detailed parts
for fit and
form testing.

Speed, office
ok, price,
colour
Limited
materials,
fragile parts,
finish.
Concept
models

Trade show and

marketing parts
& models
Rapid
manufacturing

Detailed parts for

patient- and foodcontacting
applications

Rapid
manufacturing of
parts, including

50 x 60 x 40

Less detailed
parts
Rapid tooling
patterns

Parts for limited

functional
testing
Colour models
for FEA and
other
engineering

Finish

of small
detailed parts
Fabrication of
specialized
manufacturing
tools
Patterns for
investment
casting
Patterns for
urethane & RTV
molding

Plastic parts for

highertemperature
applications
Trade show and
marketing parts &
models
Rapid
manufacturing of
small detailed
parts
Patterns for
investment
casting

larger items
such as air ducts

related
applications

Parts with snapfits & living

hinges

Architectural &
landscape
models

Parts which are

durable and use
true engineering
plastics

Colour
industrial
design models,
especially
consumer
goods &
packaging

Patterns for
investment
casting

Castings

Fabrication of
specialized
manufacturing
tools

Properties
characteri
stics
include:

Acrylics (fair
selection)
Clear and rigid

Patterns for
urethane & RTV
molding
ABS
Polycarbonate
(PC)

Bonded
plaster / plaster
composite

Nylon, including
flame-retardant,
glass-, aluminum-,
carbon-filled and

Elastomeric
ABS-like
Polypropylenelike (PP)
Flexible or
elastomeric
Water-resistant

Polyphenylsulfone
E
lastomer

Investment &
direct casting

others providing
increased
strength and
other properties
Polystyrene (PS)
Elastomeric
Steel and
stainless steel
alloys
Bronze alloy
Cobalt-chrome
alloy
Titanium