Rapid prototyping serves as an invaluable tool for businesses aiming to swiftly iterate and test their product designs, enabling them to refine concepts and identify improvements efficiently. For small batch production runs, 3D printing technologies (FDM) and (SLS) provide a cost-effective and agile solution, enabling companies to produce limited quantities of customized components or products without the need for expensive tooling or lengthy setup times
FDM printers work by heating a thermoplastic filament to its melting point and then extruding it, layer by layer, to create a three dimensional object.
FDM printers are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, making them a popular choice for home and small-scale 3D printing
Stereolithography works by using a photopolymer resin that is cured by exposure to light.
The machine traces out the desired geometry layer by layer using a computer-controlled moving laser beam.
The beam is directed by mirrors that are positioned around the build platform.
When it comes to certain projects, a computer-aided design, or CAD, can be extremely beneficial. A main advantage to using CAD is the fact that it provides experts with greater accuracy. This is done by replacing manual drafting with electronic design software, such as SketchUp, Fusion 360, or AutoCAD Design Edition.
Resin 3D printing is a technology in which liquid resin is stored in a container instead of being injected through a nozzle. The major types of resin 3D printing include Stereolithography (SLA), Digital Light Processing, and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Masked Stereolithography (MSLA).
SLA is the original form of 3D printing resin, and it was invented in the 1980s. In SLA, a laser is used to cure the resin, layer by layer. The laser beam is projected onto a build platform, and the light activates the photoinitiators in the resin. This causes the resin to solidify and create the desired 3D shape.
Digital Light Processing (DLP) is similar to SLA, but it uses a projector instead of a laser to cure the resin. DLP is typically faster than SLA because it can cure multiple layers at once.
LCD or MSLA is a newer technology that uses an LCD screen to cure the resin. LCD or MSLA printers are typically less expensive than SLA or DLP printers, and they offer a higher degree of accuracy.
resin 3D printing is a versatile technology that can be used to create a wide variety of objects. It is commonly used to create prototypes, models, and parts for end-use applications.
While premium resin 3D prints are quite strong, a run-of-the-mill SLA 3D printer produces stronger filament parts than a super expensive FDM 3D printer - simply because of filament's inherent properties.
tensile strength (55.7 MPa)
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