12 Types of 3D Printing Technologies - Aurum3D
                     12  Types  off  3D  Prriinttiing  Technollogiies
Enterprises from various sectors leverage 3D printing as an additive 
manufacturing process to print consumer and industrial products from digital 
models. The 3D printers print three-dimensional objects and structures from 
three-dimensional digital models by depositing thin and successive layers of 
applications. The manufacturers use a variety of 3D printers to print 
consumer and industrial products. The 3D printers differ from each other in 
several aspects including the underlying technology. Each 3D printer uses a 
specific 3D printing technology. Hence, manufacturers can choose the right 
3D printer by understanding and researching about the 11 different Types of 
3D printing technologies.
Brriieff  Overrviiew  off  12  Commonlly  Used  3D  Prriinttiing  Technollogiies
Stereolliithography  (SLA)
SLA 3D printing is older than other 3D printing technologies. It creates 
objects, structures and prototypes in a manner similar to SLA printers. Unlike 
SLA printers, SLA creates three-dimensional objects by exposing 
photosensitive liquid resin to a UV-laser beam. The printing service providers 
have to use a digital projector to create the object by curing and hardening 
the resin. However, SLA is a simple 3D printing technology which deposits 
one layer of material at a time. SLa technology is generally slower than the 
advanced 3D printing technologies like DLP.
Fused  Deposiittiion  Modelliing  ((FDM))
The consumer 3D printers use FDM 3D printing as a form of desktop 3D 
printing technology. The 3D printers using FDM technology have a control 
system and a platform extrusion nozzle. The platform extrusion nozzle is 
used for loading the spool of filament to the 3D printer. The printing service 
providers heat the nozzle to the desired temperature level and feed the 
filament through the heated nozzle using a motor. The heat makes the 
filament melt and 3D printer prints the three-dimensional object by laying the 
melted filament down in layers onto the build platform. The 3D printer adds 
the next layer of filament once the first layers become solid.
Diigiittall  Liightt  Prrocessiing  ((DLP))
This 3D printing technology produces three-dimensional products just like 
SLA. But DLP, unlike SLA, cures and hardens the liquid resin using a digital 
light projector. As a digital screen, the projector composes images of each 
layer by integrating square pixels. Hence, the projector creates voxels – 
layers of small rectangular blocks. The technology hardens the liquid resin by 
delivering light through a UV light source or LED screens. A Digital 
Micromirror Device – a set of micro-mirrors – redirects the light to the build 
surface and controls the light projection.
Sellecttiive  Laserr  Siintterriing  ((SLS))
SLS 3D printing produces three-dimensional objects from nylon, polyamide, 
and similar sinter powdered material using lasers as the primary source of 
power. The laser creates a solid object by binding materials together based 
on the digital 3D model. The powder not utilized during the process provides 
support to the three-dimensional structure after the printing process. Hence, 
SLS, unlike certain 3D printing technologies, does require the object external 
support. SLS is used widely for creating functional parts with complex 
functionalities.
Sellecttiive  Laserr  Mellttiing  ((SLM))
SLM creates prototypes and industrial products from metallic powders using 
high power-density lasers. The high power-density laser creates three-
dimensional structure by melting and fusing the metallic powder. However, 
the 3D printers using SLM fuse one layer of the metallic material at a time. 
Hence, SLM functions in a manner similar to SLS. But SLM, unlike SLS, is 
effective in fusing and melting metallic powders. In addition to melting the 
metallic powder fully, it forms homogeneous parts from a single material. 
Also, the melted metallic powder does not make any structural support 
necessary for the three-dimensional object.
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)
Laminated object manufacturing is a conventional 3D printing technology 
which facilitates rapid prototyping. It creates three-dimensional objects by 
adding layers of build material successively. While creating three-dimensional 
structures, LOM fuses or laminates layers of paper and plastic by combining 
heat and pressure. The 3D printer uses a computer-controlled laser or blade 
to cut the laminated base materials into predefined shapes. At present, LOM 
does not find extentsive use by manufacturers. But many enterprises still opt 
for LOM as a fast and low-cost 3D printing technology to create prototypes 
rapidly.
Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
Like SLM, EBM creates three-dimensional structures by melting metal powder. 
But EBM, unlike SLM, melts the metallic powder using high energy beams or 
electors. In addition to melting the metallic powder, the electrons fuse 
particles of the metal powder seamlessly. The high energy density of 
electrons makes EBM faster than several 3D printing technologies. But the 
object printed using EBM needs fabrication using vacuum. Also, the 
manufacturers can use EBM to create three-dimensional objects using only 
conductive materials.
Material Jetting (MJ)
MJ is considered to be faster and more accurate than other 3D printing 
technologies. At present, MJ is used widely by manufacturers to create 
realistic prototypes. This 3D printing technology functions in a manner similar 
to 2D printing. It created solid objects and structures using photopolymer 
resin and UV light. The printing service providers spray the photopolymer 
resin in droplets and use UV light to harden and solidify the droplets. 
However, MJ keeps depositing layer upon layer of photopolymer till the 3D 
printing process is over.
Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ)
MBJ finds extensive usage by manufacturers as a low cost metal 3D printing 
technology. It fabricates three-dimensional metal objects from metal powder 
using a polymer binding agent. MBJ applies the polymer binding agent on 
each layer of the metal powder according to the digital 3D model. The metal 
powder is cured or solidified after each layer. Finally, the three-dimensional 
object is removed from the printer and cured by placing it into an oven. 
Unlike conventional manufacturing techniques, MBJ enables manufacturers to 
print complex geometric patterns.
Sand Binder Jetting (SBJ)
The low cost 3D printing technology produces three-dimensional objects and 
structures from gypsum, sandstone and similar sands. Many manufacturers 
opt for SBJ to fabricate parts from plaster-based powder. However, SBJ, like 
MBJ, uses a polymer binding agent. The 3D printers use multiple printheads 
simultaneously to produce full color models. The primary printhead jets the 
polymer binding agent, while the secondary printhead applies the color inks. 
Hence, the 3D printer produces three-dimensional models in color.
Drop-on-Demand (DOD)
The 3D metal printing technology produces three-dimensional models using 
droplets of material like wax droplets or photopolymer. It deposits the droplet 
of materials selectively. The droplets are cured on a build plate. The droplets 
of material can be easily cured by exposing to light. Hence, the 3D printer 
deposits a single layer at a time. The 3D printers produce three-dimensional 
models using a pair of inkjets. The primary inkjet deposits the droplets of 
material, while the second inkjet dissolves the support material.
Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
The 3D printing technology creates three-dimensional objects or structures 
directly from metal. The 3D printers using DMLS produce solid models using 
metal powder as the base material. It further uses high power laser beams to 
melt and fuse multiple layers of metal powder. The 3D printers print the 
support structure on the base plate before printing the three-dimensional 
parts. During the printing process, the laser beams are delivered onto the 
bed of metallic powder while being controlled from a computer. Many 
manufacturers opt for DMLS to print complex structure or geometry without 
using wrought iron.
On the whole, each 3D printer use a specific 3D printing technology. 
Manufacturers or printing service providers cannot differentiate between 3D 
printers without understanding different types of 3D printing technologies. 
They must choose the right 3D printing technology to produce a three-
dimensional object or structure using the right 3D printer.

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