3D printers can be very beneficial to a small business owner. From assisting in product development, to customizing products, and cutting costs, these are few of many reasons why a 3D printer can help grow and expand your company.
But how do I choose a 3D printer? What type of 3D printer is best suited for my business? Read below to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of 3D printers.
1. (SLA) Stereolithography
Pros: Useful for prototyping, short-run parts, high-quality, high-speed in high volume
Cons: Price, Some limitations of use
2. (DLP) Digital Light Processing
Pros: High resolution in short volume, high-speed in short volume, lower cost
Cons: Unable to print high resolution in high volume, large in size
3. (FDM) Fused Deposition Modeling
Pros: Useful for prototyping, easy to maintain and replace, lower cost
Cons: Slow printing multiple parts, layering flaws
4. (EBM) Electron Beam Melting
Pros: Useful for industrial 3D printing, speed
Cons: Price, less precise in comparison to other devices
5. (LMD) Laser Metal Deposition
Pros: Reduced costs, fast cooling rates, faster production times
Cons: Not as mainstream, harder to obtain
6. (LOM) Laminated Object Manufacturing
Pros: Useful for large-scale projects, quick, high accuracy
Cons: Not useful for prototype functioning, more labor to manage production and
hazards
7. (SLM) Selective Laser Melting
Pros: Minimal restrictions, quick production
Cons: Large in size, high power required to operate, high temperature gradients
8. (SLS) Selective Laser Sintering
Pros: Quick production, cost-effective production, minimal restrictions
Cons: Rough surface finish