3D Printers

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Here are the common types of 3D printers you might find in a community makerspace:

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Printer

 This is the most common type of 3D printer for hobbyists and makerspaces due to its affordability, ease of use, and wide variety of materials. FDM printers work by extruding a thin filament of thermoplastic material through a heated nozzle, building the object layer by layer.

  • Advantages:

      • 'Affordable

      • Easy to use

      • Wide variety of materials (PLA, ABS, etc.)

      • Good for beginners

  • Disadvantages:

      • 'Lower resolution compared to SLA and SLS

      • Prone to layer lines and visible build lines

      • May require support structures for complex shapes

      • Printed parts can be weaker than those from other methods

  • Common Materials:
      • PLA (Polylactic Acid): Biodegradable and beginner-friendly, good for prototyping and low-stress parts.
      • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Stronger than PLA, but prone to warping. Great for functional parts.
      • PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): Offers a balance between strength, flexibility, and clarity.
      • TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): Flexible filament with rubber-like properties, ideal for gaskets and wearables.
      • Woodfill: Composite filament that incorporates wood particles for a wood-like look and feel.
      • Metalfill: Contains metal particles for a heavier weight and metallic aesthetic, but not actual metal for structural purposes.
  • Top Manufacturers:
      • Creality (https://www.creality3dofficial.com/): Offers a range of budget-friendly and user-friendly FDM printers. Cost Range: $200 - $1000+
      • Prusa Research (https://www.prusa3d.com/): Renowned for their high-quality and open-source FDM printers. Cost Range: $700 - $2000+
      • Bambu Lab (https://bambulab.com/): Known for their innovative and feature-rich FDM printers with high speeds. Cost Range: $500 - $1500+
      • Flashforge (https://www.flashforge.com/): Offers reliable and well-rounded FDM printers for hobbyists and professionals. Cost Range: $400 - $2000+
      • Elegoo (https://www.elegoo.com/): Provides a variety of FDM printers with good value for beginners and budget-conscious users. Cost Range: $200 - $800+

Stereolithography (SLA) Printer

 SLA printers use a vat of liquid resin and a laser to cure the resin layer by layer, creating a very high-resolution print. However, SLA printers can be more expensive than FDM printers and the resin can be messy and hazardous to handle.

    • Advantages:

        • High resolution and smooth surface finish
        • Good for creating detailed models and prototypes

    • Disadvantages:

        • More expensive than FDM printers
        • Limited material selection (mostly resins)
        • Resin can be messy and hazardous to handle
        • Requires post-processing (cleaning and curing)
    • Common Materials:
        • Standard Resins: Offer a good balance of properties for general-purpose printing.
        • Tough Resins: Simulate ABS-like strength and durability.
        • Flexible Resins: Mimic rubber-like qualities for functional parts requiring flexibility.
        • Castable Resins: Designed for burning out the printed mold to create metal castings.
        • Biocompatible Resins: Used for medical and dental applications requiring biocompatibility.

    • Stereolithography (SLA) Manufacturers:

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Printer

SLS printers use a laser to sinter together tiny particles of powder, such as nylon or metal. SLS printers can create very strong and functional parts, but they are the most expensive type of 3D printer on this list.

  • Advantages:

      • Creates strong and functional parts
      • Wide variety of materials (including nylon and metal)
      • No need for support structures for most designs

  • Disadvantages:

      • Most expensive type on this list
      • Requires specialized ventilation due to fine powder particles
      • SLS printed parts may have a slightly rough surface finish
  • Common Materials:
      • Nylon: The most common SLS material, offering good strength, flexibility, and heat resistance.
      • Polypropylene (PP): Lightweight and chemically resistant, suitable for living hinges and functional parts.
      • High Temperature Nylon (HT Nylon): Enhanced heat resistance for parts exposed to higher temperatures.
      • Glass-filled Nylon: Nylon infused with glass particles for increased strength and stiffness.
      • Selective Laser Melting (SLM) can also be included in this category, using metals like aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium for high-strength parts.

  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) Manufacturers:

      • 'EOS GmbH (

          • https://www.eos.info/): A leading manufacturer of industrial SLS machines for high-volume production. Cost Range: Not publicly available (typically very high)
          • ExOne (https://www.exone.com/): Offers industrial SLS systems for various materials, including metals. Cost Range: Not publicly available (typically very high)
          • Sintratec (https://sintratec.com/): Provides SLS printers with a focus on user-friendliness and accessibility. Cost Range: $40,000 - $100,000+
          • Desktop Metal (https://www.desktopmetal.com/): Specializes in high-performance SLS systems for metal printing. Cost Range: Not publicly available (typically very high)
          • Markforged (https://markforged.com/): Offers SLS and other 3D printing technologies for industrial applications. Cost Range: Not publicly available (typically very high)

Please note: Due to the high cost and complexity of SLS printers, these are typically used in industrial settings and may not be readily available for purchase by individual makers or hobbyists.

PolyJet Printers

These printers work similarly to inkjet printers, but instead of ink, they jet droplets of a photopolymer resin that cures under UV light. Similar advantages to SLA (high resolution) but more expensive and complex.

Common Materials:

  • Photopolymer Resins: Similar to SLA resins but come in a wider variety, including rigid, flexible, and biocompatible options.

Digital Light Processing (DLP) Printers

DLP printers use a projector to cure a vat of liquid resin layer by layer, similar to SLA printers. Similar to SLA but potentially faster cure times due to projector light source.

Common Materials:

  • Similar to SLA resins, offering a variety of options depending on the specific printer model.

Binder Jetting Printers

These printers use a inkjet head to jet a binding agent onto a bed of powder, building the object layer by layer. More limited material options compared to FDM, but can be good for full-color printing.

Common Materials:

  • Powdered Materials: Can include gypsum for creating detailed models, sandstone for a stone-like finish, and even full-color options using multi-material printing techniques.

In summary:

    • Choose FDM for affordability, ease of use, and a wide range of materials for initial forays into 3D printing.
    • SLA is ideal for high-resolution prototypes and detailed models.
    • SLS is suited for creating strong and functional parts when strength is a priority.
    • Consider the other options for specific needs like full-color printing or faster cure times, but be aware of their potential drawbacks.
  • Description: A brief overview of the equipment's function and capabilities.
  • Software: Links to the software typically used with the equipment (if applicable).
  • Learning Resources: Links to tutorials, guides, or online courses for learning how to use the equipment.
  • Projects: Links to project ideas and examples that utilize this equipment.
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