Technologies
Understand additive manufacturing's categories, technologies, materials, post-processes and terminology.
Printer Categories
AM's 7 printer category types.
The American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) have defined the seven categories of Additive Manufacturing into which all of the different types fit. These are the recognised industry standard printer category classifications.
Vat Photopolymerisation
Vat Photopolymerisation is where a light source scans or flashes on a surface of light curable resin, tracing the cross section of the specific part layer. This is attached to the build platform which then rises by the set layer height and the next layer is scanned. This is repeated until all layers are complete and the finished part pulls clear of the resin reservoir.
Parts printed with Vat Polymerisation technologies with light curable resins always require support structures.
6 technologies
DLP
Digital Light Processing
DLP parts are built off a lifting build platform.
DLS (Clip)
Digital Light Synthesis
DLS (Clip) parts are built off a lifting build platform.
LMM
Lithography-based Metal Manufacturing
LMM parts are built off a lifting build platform.
PMSL
Projection Micro Stereolithography
PMSL parts are built off a lifting build platform.
SLA (Benchtop)
Stereolithography
SLA (Benchtop) parts are built off a lifting build platform.
SLA (High Grade)
Stereolithography
Cures liquid photopolymer with a UV laser, one layer at a time, for fine detail and smooth surfaces.
Advantages
- Vat Photopolymerisation is one of the fastest AM technology categories.
- Parts can have can achieve very fine and complex features.
- Can be watertight and/or airtight once cured.
- Parts have a smooth surface finish straight off the printer.
- Provides consistent repeatability.
- Large scale SLA and DLP equipment can build relatively large parts.
- Photocurable resin drained after the build can be collected and used again.
- Biocompatible materials are available.
- A wide range of materials are available.
Disadvantages
- Materials are relatively expensive.
- Parts can become brittle, especially when exposed to prolonged sunlight.
AM Environments
Like any machinery, it is important that it and any ancillary equipment are installed, operated and maintained in the appropriate environment.
These printer technologies can be used in practical environments where recognised studio or workshop protocols are observed.
Some of them require additional equipment as part of their processes which need to be understood and accommodated:
DLP
Digital Light Processing
DLP parts are built off a lifting build platform.
FFF (Large Format)
Fused Filament Fabrication
FFF (Large Format) parts are built on a build plate surface.
PolyJet
Jets ultra-thin photopolymer layers cured on contact, for colour-accurate, tactile prototypes.
PMSL
Projection Micro Stereolithography
PMSL parts are built off a lifting build platform.
SLS (Benchtop)
Selective Laser Sintering
SLS (Benchtop) parts are built within a build chamber.
SLA (Benchtop)
Stereolithography
SLA (Benchtop) parts are built off a lifting build platform.