Printing Technologies

Exploring the Diverse Methods of Additive Manufacturing

Overview

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, encompasses a variety of technologies, each with its own strengths and applications. This page provides an overview of the primary 3D printing technologies

Each technology offers unique benefits, allowing us to meet a wide range of customer needs, from rapid prototyping to small series production.

Explore our available Materials & Technologies
Infographic showing various polymer 3D printing technologies including PBF, MEX, MJT, and VPP, with examples such as MJF, SLS, FDM, PEM, MJ, SLA, and DLP, illustrating processes like laser fusion, material extrusion, and UV or projector curing.

Powder Bed Fusion (PBF)

Powder Bed Fusion is a versatile and widely used 3D printing technology known for its precision and material properties. PBF works by spreading a thin layer of powder and selectively fusing it with energy

Key Technologies:

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): Ideal for producing durable, functional parts with excellent mechanical properties. SLS is perfect for both prototyping and end-use applications.

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF): Offers high-speed production with fine detail and uniform mechanical properties. MJF is well-suited for small batch production and functional prototypes.

PBF offers high precision and excellent mechanical properties, making it efficient for small batch production, though it requires post-processing for optimal surface finish.

3D printed polymer part partially covered in powder, illustrating the powder bed fusion process.

Material Extrusion (MEX)

Material Extrusion, commonly known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), is one of the most accessible 3D printing technologies. It involves extruding thermoplastic material layer by layer to build a part.

Key Technologies:

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): Known for its cost-effectiveness and ability to create strong, durable parts. FDM is excellent for functional prototypes, custom tools, and low-volume production.

MEX is cost-effective and widely available, producing strong, durable parts ideal for functional prototypes, although it has lower resolution and surface finish compared to other methods.

Close-up view of a material extrusion 3D printer depositing thermoplastic layers to build a white part, illustrating the FDM process.

Vat Photopolymerization (VPP)

Vat Photopolymerization uses a vat of liquid photopolymer resin, which is selectively cured by a light source to form solid layers.

Key Technologies:

Stereolithography (SLA) & Masked Stereolithography (MSLA): Produces high-resolution parts with smooth surface finishes, making it ideal for detailed prototypes and models.

Digital Light Processing (DLP): Similar to SLA but uses a digital light projector screen to flash a single image of each layer, enabling faster print times.

VPP offers high resolution and excellent surface finish, perfect for detailed prototypes, though parts have limited mechanical strength.

A stereolithography 3D printer lifting a translucent resin part from a vat, illustrating the vat photopolymerization process used in additive manufacturing.

Material Jetting (MJ)

Material Jetting deposits droplets of material layer by layer to build parts, known for producing highly detailed and smooth parts.

Key Technologies:

PolyJet: Capable of printing in multiple materials and colors simultaneously, PolyJet creates detailed models with high accuracy.

MJ delivers high detail finishes with multi-material and full-color capabilities, though it has higher material costs and parts may be less durable.

3D-printed model of human lungs with colorful bronchial and vascular structures, created using PolyJet material jetting technology.

Metal Additive Manufacturing (Metal AM)

Infographic showing metal additive manufacturing processes such as Powder Bed Fusion (SLM, EBM), Directed Energy Deposition (LENS, WAAM, MPA), and other methods like Material Extrusion, Binder Jetting, and Nano Particle Jetting.

Metal Additive Manufacturing uses similar layer-by-layer techniques to produce metal parts, significant in industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical.

Key Technologies:

Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

Metal AM produces strong, complex metal parts suitable for high-performance applications, though it involves high costs and complex post-processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between PBF, MEX, VPP, MJ and Metal AM technologies?
PBF uses powder as the base material to create strong nylon parts, MEX extrudes filament, VPP cures liquid resin, MJ jets material droplets and Metal AM fuses metal powder which highlights how these 3D printing technologies differ from each other including common comparisons like SLS vs MJF and PBF vs FDM vs VPP vs MJ.
Which 3D printing technology is best suited for prototypes, complex geometries or small-batch production?
PBF for functional parts, VPP for high detail and Metal AM for metal components which helps when choosing between different 3D printing technologies for specific needs.
What limitations should I consider when choosing between different 3D printing technologies?
Strength, surface quality, material types and size limits vary by process so it is important to compare 3D printing technologies such as PBF, MEX, VPP, MJ and Metal AM.

Need Help Choosing the Right Technology?

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