FDM vs. SLA 3D Printing

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Martin has a M.Sc. in physics and has gained many years of experience in industry as a lab manager and quality assurance manager. He has now tested dozens of 3D printers and is happy to share the collected experience with each new article.

Comparison Table FDM vs. Resin 3D Printing

Feature	Filament (FDM)	Resin (SLA/DLP/LCD)
Cost	Lower initial and material costs	Higher initial and material costs
Detail	Good for larger parts, visible layer lines	Excellent for fine details and smooth surfaces
Application	Functional parts, prototypes, household items	Detailed models, jewelry, dental, intricate art
Ease of Use	More straightforward, minimal post-processing	Complex post-processing, careful material handling
Safety	Less hazardous materials, easier to manage	Requires good ventilation, protective gear for handling
Space	Larger printers, less space for post-processing	Smaller printers, more space needed for post-processing
Material Cost	Generally cheaper filaments	More expensive resins
Strength	Durable, strong parts	Brittle, more for aesthetic/detail
Maintenance	Easier maintenance	Requires more meticulous maintenance

Comparison table between FDM and Resin 3D Printing

How 3D Printing with Filament Works

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) (or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)) works by extruding heated plastic through a small nozzle, layer by layer, to create a 3D object.

The plastic FDM filaments, fed from a spool, melt inside the printer’s extrusion head. As the melted material is deposited on the build platform, it cools and solidifies, bonding with the layer below. This process repeats, building the object from the bottom up.

The same object printed with different layer heights.

FDM can use various plastic types, allowing for a range of properties in the final product, such as flexibility, strength, and resistance to heat and chemicals. The most common filaments are PLA, ABS, PETG and TPU.

FDM printers are widely used for their simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and versatility in creating durable parts and prototypes.

Advantages of FDM

Cost-Effective: Generally lower material and equipment costs.
Material Durability: Uses strong, thermoplastic materials suitable for functional prototypes and other parts.
Ease of Use: Straightforward process, making it accessible for beginners and hobbyists.
Material Variety: Supports a wide range of FDM materials with different properties (e.g., flexible, durable, heat-resistant).
Maintenance: Printers are typically easier to maintain compared to resin-based printers.

Disadvantages of FDM

Lower Resolution: Cannot achieve the fine details that resin printers can, making it less suitable for intricate models.
Visible Layer Lines: Printed objects often have visible layer lines, requiring post-processing for a smooth finish.
Support Material: Overhangs and complex designs may require support structures that need to be manually removed.
Limited to Thermoplastics: While there’s a variety of materials, they are generally limited to thermoplastics, which may not suit all applications.
Warping and Shrinking: Materials may warp or shrink as they cool, potentially affecting the accuracy and appearance of the final object.

How 3D Printing with Resin Works

Stereolithography (SLA) is a type of resin 3D printing that transforms liquid resin into solid objects through a process called photopolymerization.

Here’s how it works: A laser beam precisely targets the surface of a liquid resin, hardening it layer by layer to form a 3D object. The build platform lifts the object out of the resin tank, allowing the laser to solidify the next layer until the entire object is complete.

It’s important to note that while SLA printers are pioneers in resin 3D printing, there are other similar technologies such as Digital Light Processing (DLP) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) printing. DLP uses a digital projector screen to flash a single image of each layer all at once, making it faster than SLA in some cases.

LCD, on the other hand, uses an array of UV LEDs and a liquid crystal display to cure the resin. Both of these methods still rely on photopolymerization but differ in the UV light source and mechanics of layer formation.

All these resin 3D printing technologies stand out for their ability to produce highly detailed and smooth objects with no or only minimal visible layer lines, making them ideal for applications requiring precision. Examples for that are jewelry, dental models, and intricate hobby projects.

Advantages of Resin 3D Printing

High Detail: SLA printing achieves very fine features and smooth surfaces, ideal for intricate models.
Precision: Excellent for applications requiring tight tolerances and detailed textures.
Variety of SLA Materials: Offers a range of resins with different material properties (flexible, durable, high-temperature resistance).
Fast Layer Curing: Technologies like DLP and LCD can cure entire layers at once, accelerating the printing process.

Disadvantages of Resin 3D Printing

Cost: Generally higher material and equipment costs than FDM.
Post-Processing: Requires cleaning and curing, which can be messy and time-consuming.
Material Handling: Resins can be toxic and require careful handling and proper ventilation.
Durability: Printed parts may be more brittle and less durable than those made with FDM.
Limited Build Volume: Often has a smaller build volume compared to FDM printers, limiting the size of objects that can be printed.

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