Rapid prototyping is a fast and cost-effective method for creating prototypes for product development.
It helps for a multitude of uses like functional testing, tooling, moulds, visualization and as a proof of concept. Please find below a brief comparison between different techniques in rapid prototyping used at think3D.
| Technique/ Attribute | Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) | Stereolithography (SLA) | Digital Light Processing (DLP) | Laser Sintering (Plastic/ Metal) | 3D Printing (Binder Jet) | Material Jetting | Vaccuum Casting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Image |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| Process | Material heated to a semi-liquid state, and 3D model built up one strand at a time | UV Laser beam hits a thin layer of photopolymer resin design, and solidifies it by curing | Conventional light source like an arc lamp is applied to the entire surface of photopolymer resin in a single pass for curing | Powder layers spread on top of each other, and selectively sintered by a CO2 laser beam as per the CAD data | Layer by layer by depositing a liquid binder onto thin uniform layers of powder via roller mechanism and a feed piston | Build materials selectively jetted through multiple ink jet heads | Silicone moulds created by casting material around the master model is used to create copies |
| Subject | thermo plastics | Photo polymer resin | Photo polymer resin | Powder | Powder | Photopolymer liquids | Silocine |
| Medium | Heat | UV Laser | DLP Light Source | CO2 Laser Beam | Liquid Binder | UV Light | Vaccum chamber |
| Material Options | PLA, ABS, Nylon, Wood, HIPS, PMMA | Clear/ Castable/ Tough/ Flexible Resins | Castable/ Pigmented Resins | Nylon, Aluminium, Steel | Sandstone | Rubber, Plastics like ABS/ PP | |
| Typical Layer Resolution | 100 Microns | 30 Microns | 40 Microns | 25 Microns | 50 Microns | 50 Microns | NA |
| Output Characteristics | Good Strength, lesser accuracy and needs post processing for good surface finish | Excellent Surface Finish High Accuracy Lesser Strength over time | Excellent Surface Finish Good Accuracy Lesser Strength over time Faster turnaround | High Strength Good Accuracy Slightly rough Surface High Complex shapes possibility | Textured surface Full colour Output Low Strength | Smooth Finish Multi Material Options High Accuracy | Good Accuracy Good Surface finish Good Strength |
| Cost | Very cheap | Very high cost | High cost | Costlier than FDM Very high Cost for Metals | High Cost | High cost | Economical |
| Typical Applications | -Mechanical Parts -Architectural Prototypes -Quick Proof of Concept | -High Precision parts for display -Castable parts for Jewelry & Dental | -High Precision parts for display -Castable parts for Jewelry & Dental | -Mechanical Prototypes -Complex parts & Accessories | -Architectural Models -Full Color Miniatures -Display Parts | -Multi material parts for functional prototypes with exact characteristics | -Low volume production run -High finesse requirements |