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3D printing with filament or resin?

3d Printing Help Centre

3D PRINTING HELP CENTRE

In the 123-3D help centre, we answer all your questions about 3D software and printer settings, problems you may experience during or after 3D printing and other 3D-related topics.

3D printing with filament or resin?

Are you planning to start 3D printing, where manual finishing is required, we recommend using a 3D printer with filament (FDM or FFF). Small, highly detailed factory-quality objects are best printed with a resin printer (SLA or DLP).

Index

What is a filament 3D printer?

3D printers that use a filament to print an object are referred to as FDM or FFF printers. These 3D printers work with an identical technique that builds up an object layer by layer by melting plastic filament. The filament is heated in the print head - the extruder - that floats above the print bed, after which the plastic is pushed out through the nozzle. This is repeated until the last layer is printed and your object is complete.  


Advantages and disadvantages of filament printers

FDM printers are the most commonly used 3D printers and the most popular among hobbyists and 3D enthusiasts. Below you can find all the advantages and disadvantages of the filament printer:
 
Advantages Disadvantages
User-friendly Printing small objects and details requires some expertise
Cheap and reliable Objects need to be post-processed
Lots of material and colour choice Long printing time
Ideal for printing larger objects and prototypes

View all our filament printers

What is a resin printer?

A resin printer creates 3D objects by illuminating liquid, (day) light-sensitive resin and curing it layer by layer. In contrast to filament prints, resin prints are lit from below, so that they are pulled out of the resin, as it were. Various techniques are used for this, which are indicated by the abbreviations SLA and DLP. DLP printers use an LCD projector with UV light to illuminate the resin, while SLA printers use a laser beam to illuminate the resin directly.
 

With an SLA printer, the round laser beam illuminates the resin with a smooth movement for an extra smooth finish. With a DLP printer, the UV projector divides the object into pixels, after which the light parts are exposed layer by layer.

Advantages and disadvantages of resin printers

Resin printers are often used by jewellery designers and architects and are slightly less popular than filament 3D printers. This mainly has to do with costs, a resin printer is a lot more expensive than filament printers. For a complete overview of advantages and disadvantages, simply consult the table below:

         
Advantages Disadvantages
User-friendly Material must continue to cure after printing
3D prints are of a very high resolution Purchase costs of SLA/DLP printer and resin are high
High print speed regardless of the surface of the object Due to the limited print area, only suitable for smaller objects
Ideal for printing small and highly detailed objects and moulds
   View all our resin printers

Filament vs. Resin Comparison 3D printer

Still finding it difficult to choose between a resin of filament 3D printer? We'd like to help you!
 
       
FFF/FDM printer (filament) DLP/SLA printer (resin)
Resolution ⋆⋆⋆⋆ ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Ease of use ⋆⋆⋆⋆ ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Upgrade options ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ ⋆
Choice of material ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ ⋆⋆⋆
Print speed ⋆⋆⋆ ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆
Print volume ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ ⋆⋆⋆
Price Variable High
Object type Medium to large, robust, flexible, industrial, water and UV resistant etc. Small components, detailed objects, jewellery, moulds, prototypes, etc.
 

Do you have another question?

Have you not been able to find the answer to your question in the overview above? At 123-3D.ie we are busy with 3D printing every day and we like to follow every development. We are happy to share the knowledge and experience that we have built up over the years with you in our 3D printing help centre!
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