| Technology | Basics | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| 3DP | MIT-licensed process that jets a binder onto starch-
and cellulose-based powders. | Currently the fastest technology in the industry.
Recent 2—4X gains in material strength. Flexible parts
are possible and may be built in different colors. | Accuracy, surface finish, and material strength
make the process best suited for concept models. |
| FDM | Fused deposition modeling uses a heated extrusion
tip to melt materials in filament form. | A variety of office-friendly materials are available,
including ABS, wax, and elastomer. Some newer machines offer
water-soluble supports. | Generally, a slower process than SLA and SLS.
Detectable layering requires finishing. |
| Inkjet | Similar to conventional inkjet printing technology
using a photopolymer. Addition of an elevator enables the third
axis of printing. | Can provide exceptional speed and accuracy with
surface finishes that require only light finishing when you
paint the part. | Limited proprietary material selection. Relatively
young adaptation of RP. |
| LENS | Laser engineered net shaping uses a laser to melt
a substrate. Metal powder is introduced into the void, melted,
and then solidified. | Can directly build metal parts, including stainless
and tool steel, titanium, and super alloys (aluminum-titanium
hybrids). Injection molds can incorporate efficient cooling
channels that would be impossible to machine. | Less accurate than others. Although the process
negates the need to hog out large amounts of hard-to-cut material,
finish machining is still usually necessary. |
| LOM | In laminated object modeling, sections of a part
are cut from paper and automatically glued together. | Quickly models parts with strength and properties
similar to wood. | Accuracy of unsealed parts can be susceptible
to changes in humidity. Occasionally parts need intensive hand
finishing to remove unnecessary material. |
| SLA | Stereolithography apparatus uses a laser to solidify
a photopolymer. | Provides an excellent combination of speed, accuracy,
and surface finish. | Limited material selection and properties. Raw
material isn't particularly pleasant to people or environment.
Limited to light functional testing because of material properties. |
| SLS | Selective laser sintering uses a laser to sinter
powder. | Fast, accurate, and functional parts are not as
brittle as most SLA models. Plastic and metal parts are available. | Surface finish right out of machine is poor. Porosity
makes it more difficult to paint than an SLA model. |
For Mold Designers! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the mold design professional. Sponsored by Siemens NX. Visit the Equipped Mold Designer here!
For Architects! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the building design professional. Sponsored by HP. Visit the Equipped Architect here!
