3D printing techologies
All 3D printing technologies are based on the same principle, which involves gradually layering material on top of each other. However, even in the present day, there is no universal method suitable for all applications. It is necessary to consider what we expect from the printer and what we want to print. The most well-known 3D printing technologies can be divided into three categories based on the form of material printing and its processing:
- Material in the form of filament – material is extruded through a heated nozzle, including FDM and FFF. These can be considered synonymous.
- Liquid material – each layer is cured by a light beam (UV or DLP). This category includes SLA.
- Material in the form of fine powder – material is fused using a laser. Representative technologies include SLS.
4. Other technologies
Power bed printing/InkJet
The primary material is a powder deposited onto the build platform, along with a liquid binder to solidify the object. The result depends on the material selection, binder, and the way the binder is combined with the powder. It's one of the more popular printer types due to its similarity to home inkjet printers. However, instead of ink, the binder comes from the printhead. One of its advantages is the ability to combine individual colors and create new shades.
MultiJet/PolyJet
MultiJet, also known as PolyJet, is a method that similarly utilizes a printhead to print with multiple colors. However, it doesn't use powder; instead, it applies layers of UV-sensitive resin directly onto the build platform and then cures them using UV light to create a solid material. This method produces sturdier models compared to powder-based printers.
LOM
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) uses continuous material, often in the form of plastic or paper, occasionally metal. A system of heated rollers extrudes the material onto the build platform. The heated rollers pass over the material, which is pressed onto the platform. The material is then trimmed using a computer-controlled knife or laser to achieve the desired shape.
Source: Úvod
do 3D tlače - Alena Furdová, Denisa
Fialová, Michal Marko, Peter Leško