Additive manufacturing: which technology?
September 2023
Although the terms additive manufacturing and 3D printing are often used interchangeably, additive manufacturing is a broader term that encompasses all strata-based manufacturing methods.
These manufacturing methods offer an undeniable cost and time advantage over injection molding, since no mold is required.
There are 7 major additive manufacturing processes, but 3 are more common than the others, particularly for prototypes and small production runs.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
This is the most widespread printing method. A plastic wire (usually PLA or ABS) is unwound through a heated nozzle, which melts it to draw a part layer by layer on a bed.
SLA
A stereolithography process that works by curing a liquid polymer resin using UV light, either from a laser or an LCD or DLP screen. This technique is also known as vat photopolymerization.
A wide choice of resins is available, some of which are biocompatible or transparent.
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
This principle of selective laser sintering involves solidifying a powder with a laser layer by layer.
Ceramic, vitreous and ceramic powders are available to extend the range of possibilities.
Each layer is approximately 100 microns high.
Precision and surface finish are very good, enabling us to produce not only prototypes but also small series.
Other additive manufacturing techniques exist, each with their own specific advantages, but are less common.
We can develop and produce in-house prototypes on our FDM and SLA machines. Please do not hesitate to contact us.