[3D Printing Guide 1.2] - What 3D printing methods are available?

This is the 2nd article I publish of my 3D Printing Guide series - if you missed part 1 you can find it here (of course  here on steemit). In that theoretical short guide I will list all different 3D printer types and methods. You will learn and know finally what is the most common and cheapest.

What 3D printing methods are available?

In general there are this 3D printer types available today:

• Stereolithography(SLA)
• Digital Light Processing(DLP)
• Fused deposition modeling (FDM)
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
• Selective laser melting (SLM)
• Electronic Beam Melting (EBM)
• Laminated object manufacturing (LOM)

When normal consumer refer today on 3D printing they use in 99% FDM and a few have SLA printing machines. The other methods are more or less industrial methods what are not available on the market.

So how is FDM printing working?

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology was developed by Scott Crump founder of Stratasys Ltd. in 1980s. In general there are thermoplastic (called filament - mostly sized in 1,75mm or 3mm diameter) extruded at the constant melting temperature of used plastic. The printer then build objects layer by layer.... this is on all the same, don`t depend how they look like.

FDM printers can print cheap high quality production grade parts and prototypes and are machines cost from 200-5000USD. In general you can build with little tuning of a cheap reprap DIY kit a decent machine for around 250USD what print like an expensive one. 

How are the prints looking?

Well you can print nearly all parts but to show you something - here is my printed drone :-)



In following series we will look at different printers & DIY printer kits plus I will give you tips on high quality budget printing and what hardware is suggested.
 

Thanks and hope you like it - please don`t hesitate to comment for questions!

hastla

Additional note: I wanted to have a dedicated topid for "3dprinting" as it is not allowed to creat one - you you want to support this feature please upvote my article here.