3D printers look like something straight out of a Sci-Fi film, but recent advancements have made them really accessible to the average hobbyist. Generally, budget 3D printers are of two types, Fused Deposit Modelling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA).
In this article, we are going to talk about resin printers (SLA/MSLA/DLP) and some of the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. Let’s start with a comparison.
Resin vs Filament 3D Printers
FDM 3D Printer, Source Giphy
FDM 3D printers use a spool of plastic filament that is melted by a heated nozzle to re-create the 3D model layer by layer on a build platform. The nozzle has to move around on all axes as it applies the melted material layer by layer.
Resin 3D Printer
SLA printers use a vat of resin where the build platform is initially submerged. During the print, a highly-precise laser shines on specific areas to harden the resin and the object is re-created layer by layer. There are fewer moving parts here as the build platform only needs to go up during printing, which is also why the prints are created inverted.
Print Quality and Size
Resin printers are very precise as it uses a laser to draw the layers on the platform. For example, let’s take the entry-level LCD Resin Creality Halot One which has a layer thickness of 0.01-0.2mm, while the similarly priced FDM Creality Ender 3 v2 has a layer thickness range of 0.1-0.4mm.
When it comes to print size, FDM printers have an advantage here with the ability to print bigger models. Again, taking the same example, the Creality Halot one has a print size of 127*80*160mm while the Creality Ender 3 v2 has a much bigger print size of 220x220x250mm.
Price and Ease of Use
Creality UW-01 Wash and Curing Station
Over the years, the cost of resin printers has reduced drastically, and these days entry-level MSLA and FDM printers can be found in the same price bracket. The story doesn’t end here, however, as there’s a recurring cost in the form of consumables. SLA 3D printers use liquid resin which can set you back by 50$ US for a liter (and more depending on the resin material). …….