Resin or filament 3D printing: Which is best for you?

Two jokers on a MK3 Source: Windows Central

Best answer: If you're looking to make massive 3D-printed pieces or you want to end your prints, then a filament printer is the best choice for you. If yous want production quality out of the auto or y'all are looking to print pocket-sized models with a loftier level of item, then we would suggest a resin, SLA/DLP printer.

A smashing starter: Elegoo Mars Pro ii ($400 at Amazon)
The best of the best: Prusa Mk3 kit ($749 at Prusa Research)

What is SLA/DLP press?

Mars 3 Dain Source: Windows Central

Stereolithography/digital light processing (SLA/DLP) printers are, essentially, 3D printers that print using light to cure liquid resin into layers. The cheaper versions apply an LCD to shine a UV prototype into the resin, which cures information technology into a solid layer. The print bed then rises slightly to let the next layer cure.

This allows you to print a model with extremely fine detail, far more than a standard filament printer can produce, and the consequence tends to need far less post-processing work to requite you lot a finished product.

The downside is that they tend to have smaller build plates than filament (FDM) printers, so you can't make large pieces on them. They also tend to be a little slower than FDM printers as they have to cure. You volition likewise have to wash the print and further cure information technology later on it has been printed to become the full result.

At that place take been great strides to solve both these problems, though. You can now buy an excellent wash and cure station that can speed up the curing process considerably, and Peopoly has released an enormous printer called the Phenom that volition resin print your parts on a much larger scale.

What is FDM press?

Snapmaker 2 Helmet Source: Windows Central

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the style of press you lot are likely most familiar with. A string of plastic chosen a filament is melted through a hot end and deposited on the build plate. The side by side layer is then placed on top of the previous layer.

FDM press is used far and broad in modeling and for producing larger parts like cosplay armor and helmets. The nature of the printing makes information technology very like shooting fish in a barrel to set up and very like shooting fish in a barrel to learn. Well-nigh maker spaces around the country use FDM printers as they are cheap and reliable. FDM printing is also very skilful at making practical prints. Many printers can print exotic materials like carbon fiber and nylons that are incredibly stiff. These can exist used to brand strong models and moving parts.

It'south only when you commencement wanting to make smaller models in finer particular that FDM printing can run ashore. That isn't to say that a well-tuned FDM printer tin can't requite you amazing detail; they can. If you look at the Joker model we used by Wekster, you tin can see that although the model isn't quite as nice as the resin version, information technology still looks excellent.

So which should you lot buy?

That'due south a skilful question. It all depends on the kind of printing yous want to practise.

If you are hoping to impress miniatures for board games, highly detailed models, or production-quality parts, then an SLA/DLP printer is the best choice. The level of resolution that a resin printer can bring is extraordinary.

If you are hoping to build big-calibration models, cosplay items like armor or helmets, or you are looking to produce prototypes quickly, then an FDM 3D printer is likely the right choice for you. It gives you the greatest range of options at a great toll.

All-time FDM

Prusa MK3

Prusa Mk3 Kit

You can't become better

For a first-time FDM 3D printer, you really tin can't do better than the Prusa Mk3. Its advanced features and astounding print quality make information technology the best printer you tin buy for under $1,000.

There is a considerable array of FDM 3D printers on the marketplace at a price point to suit every pocket. We chose to showcase the Prusa Mk3 here because it is the perfect mix of price, avant-garde features, and quality prints. I would recommend buying the kit version of the Prusa as information technology will requite you a chance to learn more nigh how the printer works and provide you with insight into how to set up it if things get incorrect.

Value SLA/DLP

Mars Pro 2

Elegoo Mars Pro 2

Fantastic value

The Elegoo Mars is impressive. For far less than you might think, you can take a resin printer that makes amazingly detailed models reliably.

We went with the Elegoo Mars for this comparison considering the entry-level price point is merely right for trying resin printers for the first time. The Mars is a revelation for anyone who has never used a resin printer before as it is and then cheap and yet produces amazing prints every time.

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James Bricknell

James built his first PC when he was 13 and has never looked back. He can be found on Windows Central, usually in the corner where all the 3D printers are, or huddled around the Xbox playing the latest games.