Worldwide Guide to Rapid Prototyping
Printing the Future
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The Most Important Commercial
Rapid Prototyping Technologies at a Glance

 

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TECHNOLOGIES TYPICALLY CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR USE AS LOW-COST 3D PRINTERS ARE SHOWN WITH THIS BACKGROUND COLOR.
 Technology > >
Stereo-
lithography
Jetted
Photopolymer
Selective Laser Sintering
Single Jet
Inkjet
Laminated Object Manufacturing
Fused Deposition Modeling
Three
Dimensional
Printing
 Acronym > >
SLA
J-P
SLS
MM
LOM
FDM
3DP
 Representative Vendor > > 3D Systems EOS GmbH Solidscape Solido Ltd.
[sold in US by 3D Systems]
Stratasys Z Corp.
General Qualitative Features - - - - -
 Maximum Build
 Chamber (inches)
20 x 20 x 24 11.75 x 7.3 x 8 27.5 x 15 x 23 12 x 6 x 9 6.29 x 8.26 x 5.31 24 x 20 x 24 20 x 24 x 16
 Speed average good average to good poor good poor excellent
 Accuracy very good good to very good good excellent fair fair fair
 Surface Finish very good good to very good good to very good excellent fair fair fair
 Strengths large part size,
accuracy
accuracy and finish,
office OK
accuracy,
materials,
accuracy,
finish,
office OK
office OK,
price,
size
office OK
price,
materials
speed,
office OK,
price,
color
 Weaknesses post processing,
messy liquids
size and weight,
post processing
size and weight,
system price,
surface finish
speed,
limited materials,
part size
limited materials,
finish and accuracy
speed limited materials,
fragile parts,
finish
 Typical
 Applications > >
BUTNVery detailed parts and models for fit & form testing
BUTN
BUTNTrade show and marketing parts & models
BUTN
BUTNRapid manufacturing of small detailed parts
BUTN
BUTNFabrication of specialized manufacturing tools
BUTN
BUTNPatterns for investment casting
Space
BUTNPatterns for urethane & RTV molding
BUTNVery detailed parts and models for fit & form testing
Space
BUTNTrade show and marketing parts & models
Space
BUTNPatterns for investment casting, especially jewelry and fine items
Space
BUTNPatterns for urethane & RTV molding
BUTNSlightly less detailed parts and models for fit & form testing compared to photopolymer-based methods using engineering plastics
Space
BUTNRapid manufacturing of parts, including larger items such as air ducts
Space
BUTNParts with snap-fits & living hinges
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BUTNParts which are durable and provide the
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BUTNPatterns for investment casting
BUTNMost detailed parts and models available using additive technologies for fit & form testing
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BUTNPatterns for investment casting, especially jewelry and fine items, especially medical devices
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BUTNPatterns for urethane & RTV molding
BUTNSomewhat less detailed parts and models for fit & form testing compared to other methods
Space
BUTNPatterns for urethane & RTV molding
Space
BUTNLarger patterns for sand-casting
BUTNDetailed parts and models for fit & form testing using engineering plastics
Space
BUTNDetailed parts for patient- and food-contacting applications
Space
BUTNPlastic parts for higher-temperature applications
Space
BUTNTrade show and marketing parts & models
Space
BUTNRapid manufacturing of small detailed parts
Space
BUTNPatterns for investment casting
Space
BUTNFabrication of specialized manufacturing tools
Space
BUTNPatterns for urethane & RTV molding
BUTNConcept models
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BUTNParts for limited functional testing
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BUTNColor models for FEA and other engineering related applications
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BUTNArchitectural & landscape models
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BUTNColor industrial design models, especially consumer goods & packaging
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BUTNCastings
 System Price Range $75K-800K $40K-85K $200K-1M+ $70K-80K $15K-240K $19K-300K $20K-70K
Materials - - - - -
     Available
     properties &
     characteristics
     include > >
BUTNAcrylics (fair selection)
Space
BUTNClear and rigid
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BUTNABS-like
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BUTNPolypropylene-like (PP)
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BUTNFlexible or elastomeric
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BUTNWater-resistant
BUTNAcrylics (limited selection)
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BUTNElastomeric
BUTNNylon, including flame-retardant, glass-, aluminum-, carbon-filled and others providing increased strength and other properties
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BUTNPolystyrene (PS)
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BUTNElastomeric
Space
BUTNSteel and stainless steel alloys
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BUTNBronze alloy
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BUTNCobalt-chrome alloy
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BUTNTitanium
BUTNPolyester-based plastic
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BUTNInvestment casting wax
BUTNBonded PVC-based plastic film
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BUTNBonded paper
BUTNABS
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BUTNPolycarbonate (PC)
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BUTNPolyphenylsulfone
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BUTNElastomer
BUTNBonded plaster / plaster composite
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BUTNElastomeric
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BUTNInvestment & direct casting
 Material Costs $/pound
     plastics $75-110 $60-200 $25-60 $100 $18 $115-185  
     metal     $35-115        
     other     $5
(foundry sand)
  $5-8 (paper)   starch:
$0.35 / cu in
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plaster:
$0.60 / cu in
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+ infiltrant
 Acronym > >
SLA
J-P
SLS
MM
LOM
FDM
3DP
 Technology > >
Stereo-
lithography
Jetted
Photopolymer
Selective Laser Sintering
Single Jet
Inkjet
Laminated Object Manufacturing
Fused Deposition Modeling
Three
Dimensional
Printing
TECHNOLOGIES TYPICALLY CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE FOR USE AS LOW-COST 3D PRINTERS ARE SHOWN WITH THIS BACKGROUND COLOR.


Brief Tutorial SectionsBrief Tutorial...Technology Descriptions
What Is Rapid Prototyping?
Rapid Tooling.
Reverse Engineering Brief Tutorial.
Stereolithography (SLA).
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).
Inkjet based systems.
Three Dimensional Printing (3DP).
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).
Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM).
Laser Engineered Net Shaping (TM) (LENS ®).



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REV 12d - - - 9/3/07; 2/11/08