FDM
Advantages:
- Easy to operate and maintain
- More economical and cost-effective compared to other methods
- No need to use irritating chemicals, which is more environmentally friendly
- Suitable size which can be placed on the desktop
- No additional equipment required
- Various materials are available
- Relatively low price of equipment, which can help shorten the delivery time of products
Disadvantages:
- There are usually stacked textures on the surface
- Lamination quality will affect the physical strength of the finished part
SLA
Advantages:
- Be able to make precise details of the parts
- The surface of finished part is smooth and has less stacked textures.
- Present the best details of small parts
- Devices are integrated and relatively easy to operate
- Material with multiple properties can be printed
Disadvantages:
- Raw materials are often chemically irritating or pungent and flammable
- Chemicals need to be added during post-treatment
- The material is sticky and may stain the surrounding environment
- Support structures are usually required, which may leave marks on the surface
- Only one material and color can be used in a single print
- Relatively small printable volume compared to other two technologies
- Holes must be prepared in hollow parts to allow uncured resin to flow put
SLS
Advantages:
- There is a little powder and no stacked textures on the finished parts
- Finished parts have good mechanical properties
- No support material required
Disadvantages:
- Equipment is relatively large
- Masks are needed when processing finished products to prevent dust inhalation
- Fewer material types or colors
- Relatively expensive equipment and materials
- Powders need to be processed and recycled
- Cost-effective when printing volume fits the entire container range
All three methods have their own strengths, just choose the suitable method according to the specific situation.
