7 Types of 3D Printers You Need To Know

ByMichael Bolt

3D printing also termed additive manufacturing has shaken up the DTF printing business in various sectors. This technology builds three-dimensional objects layer by layer a computer-aided design model.

During this procedure, materials are fused by several wide-ranging techniques—melting, sintering, curing, adhesive bonding, and so on—to rapidly create iterative, tailor-made prints with unlimited creative freedom in a matter of hours.

3D printers are like peas in a pod with endless prototyping, manufacturing, and design possibilities. Whether you are an artist, builder, or layman who wants to take your printing project to the next level, this printer will be your best friend.

With so many types of 3D printers available in the market, choosing the right one for your needs can be a difficult task. Theprinterexpert.com is your guru to understand the features of your device and the factors to consider before buying a printer. 

In this blog, I’ll walk you through different types of 3D printers, explaining how they work, their pros, cons, and suitable applications.

Types of 3D Printers

Knowing the difference between each type of 3D printer is crucial when buying a printer. The most common types of 3D printers available on the market are the following: 

  1. Stereolithography (SLA)

Stereolithography was the world’s first 3D printing technique, and still in trend among professionals. SLA uses a UV-laser beam to solidify liquid resin layer by layer. Each layer solidification is done before the build platform moves down to allow the next layer to be traced.

This process creates highly accurate and detailed parts with smooth surfaces. These printers are best for producing accurate and watertight porotypes with fine finish.

Materials: Photopolymer resins.

Applications: Functional prototypes, rapid prototypes, jewelry, dental models, and intricate designs.

Pros

  • High resolution and smooth surface finish 
  • Ideal for detailed and complex parts
  • Fast build times compared to other methods

Cons

  • More expensive than FDM 
  • Resin can be messy and requires post-processing
  1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

FDM or FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) is one of the most popular types of 3D printers out there at the moment. It has a heated nozzle to melt the thermoplastic filaments including ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and PLA (Polylactic Acid) and extrude the layers to produce the object. One layer is added at a time until the part is finished.

Materials: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and various other thermoplastics.

Applications: Prototyping, educational purposes, end-use production, aircraft, automotive parts, orthopedic implants, hobby projects, and functional parts.

Pros

Cons

  • Lower resolution compared to other technologies
  • Can be slow for large print projects
  • Visible layer lines
  1. Digital Light Processing (DLP)

Like SLA, DLP printers also use a light source to cure liquid resin. The only difference is SLA printers use UV light, and DLP printers use conventional light sources like arc lamps.  It creates multiple layers at a time, resulting in faster build times compared to SLA. That’s said DLP printers are often steep in cost, so less in use in the domestic market. 

Materials: Photopolymer resins.

Applications: High-detail prototypes, jewelry, dental models, and intricate designs.

Pros

  • Faster build speed than SLA
  • High-resolution and detail
  • Wide range of materials available

Cons

  • More expensive than FDM
  • Requires post-processing process
  • Limited build volume compared to some other methods
  1. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printers are similar to SLA printers but use a laser and powder material to create a 3D image. Laser points to fuse powdered material, typically nylon or metal into a layer by layer. 

However, unlike other types of printing techniques, it does not require the support of an external object. That’s why these printers are widely used to create functional parts with complex functionalities. 

Materials: Nylon, TPU, metal powders, and other thermoplastics.

Applications: Functional prototypes, end-use parts, short-run, bridge, complex geometries, custom manufacturing, and durable components.

Pros

  • Strong and durable parts
  • No need for support structures
  • Ability to print complex geomatics
  • Wide range of materials, including metals

Cons

  • High cost of equipment and materials
  • Post-processing is required to remove excess powder
  • Potential for part-warping
  1. Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

SLM is a metal 3D printing technology that uses a high-power density laser to selectively fuse metal powder in layers. It fully melts the powder to form solid metal parts. These printers fuse one layer at a time. 

However, SLM printers function similarly to SLS but they are more effective in fusing and melting metallic powder. Also, the melted powder doesn’t require any structural support for 3D objects. These printers are not common at homes but are widely used in universities, aerospace industries, and the medical field.  

Materials: Stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and other metal alloys.

Applications: Aerospace, medical implants, automotive parts, and complex metal components.

Pros

  • High strength and durability
  • Complex geometries

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Requires post-processing
  1. Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

The working principle of the EBM printer is the same as the SLM printer to create a 3D structure. They use an electron beam to completely melt the metal powder, layer by layer. It operates in a vacuum, which reduces the risk of contamination and allows for the creation of high-strength metal parts.

The high energy of electrons makes EBM faster than several other printing technologies. However, it’s also cheaper than SLM but requires a skilled operator to take full advantage of these printers. 

Materials: Titanium, cobalt-chrome, and other metal alloys.

Applications: Aerospace, medical implants, and high-performance metal parts.

Pros

  • High strength and durability
  • Reduced risk of contamination

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Limited material options
  1. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

MJF printers are trending in the manufacturing industry for their cost and ability to print in colors. These printers are similar to SLS printers; as both rely on powder (nylon) and a heat source to create printed parts. 

MJF printers use a multi-agent printing process where a fusing agent is selectively applied to a powder bed, followed by the application of a detailing agent. Heat is then applied to fuse the selected areas. 

Materials: Nylon, TPU, and other thermoplastics.

Applications: Functional prototypes, end-use parts, and complex geometries.

Pros

  • High strength and durability
  • Fast production times

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Limited material options

Factors to Consider Before Buying a 3D Printer

So, you have decided to get a 3D printer. Buying a 3D printer isn’t as easy as buying a DTG printer. There’s a problem; you have no idea where to start. Here are some basics to get to know you:

Printing Quality

Choose a printer that offers both good quality and resolution. The better the printer’s resolution, the more it can create a detailed and finished object. Asses the print quality for your product and choose the printer to your liking. 

Printing Speed

When talking about printing, being too fast isn’t always an ideal case. 3D printing is not for the impatiens. 3D printers take a long time to create more complex final products. No matter what you’re printing, choose a printer with slow speed to get intricate and better final print quality. 

Supported Materials

Knowing what materials you may use in your 3D printer is critical for determining the device’s regular operating costs. Some materials, such as powders for SLM printers, might be limited in availability and expensive. Knowing how frequently you expect to print and the types of objects you want to make will help you decide which materials to use in your 3D printer.

Printing an Object

To print a 3D object, you’ll need a stereolithography (STL) file that sends the specifications to the printer that will build it. You can create these files yourself using CAD software or get a blueprint. From there, you run the file via slicing software, which instructs your printer how to slice your object. 

This is often referred to as the build area. This specification specifies the maximum size of printable items for your device. This is important to consider because larger printers quickly increase their base price and printing material costs. 

Keep in mind that smaller printers can print some products in pieces that can then be joined into a larger object. As a result, a large building space may not required. In contrast, a single huge part may need to be produced for professional use. In that case, a 3D printer with a huge print capacity is required.

Conclusion

Choosing the right type of 3D printer depends on your specific needs, budget, and the materials you intend to use. SLA and DLP offer high detail for intricate designs, while FDM printers are great for beginners and general use.

For industrial purposes, the SLS, MJF, SLM, and EBM printers are best suitable for manufacturing intricate but strong parts. Knowing the various types of 3D Printers, you can wisely choose a printer to bring your ideas to life.