FDM, FGF, SLA, SLS, LCD, DLP, SLM, DMP, MJP. These are all different 3D printing technologies. Why are there so many of them? And what are they for?

First – Variety of materials: Different technologies can work with different materials, including plastic, metal, ceramics, composites and biomaterials. This allows the creation of a wide range of products, from prototypes to medical implants.

Second – Detail and accuracy: Some technologies, such as SLA and MJM, provide outstanding detail, which is important for creating complex and accurate models.

Third – Strength and wear resistance: Functional parts, especially in aviation and engineering, use technologies that can create durable products from metals and composites.

Fourth – Speed ​​and efficiency: Some methods, including FDM and SLS, can be faster and more efficient in producing mass-produced parts.

Fifth – Medical and biological applications: For example, bioprinting is used to create biological tissues and organs. This has enormous potential for medical research and treatment.

Sixth – Simplicity and accessibility: Some technologies, such as FDM, are relatively low cost and easy to use, making them accessible to a wide audience.

Thus, the variety of technologies in 3D printing allows the process to be adapted to the specific tasks and needs of various industries and professionals. You can learn more about 3D printing technologies below. 

Method Technology Description Materials
Powder SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) This technology allows parts to be created using a laser to sinter a powder material such as nylon or polyamide. Thermoplastics, metal powders, ceramic powders
Extrusion FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) With FDM, we create products, layer by layer, by melting and applying the plastic material. Thermoplastics in monofilament
Powder SLM/DMP (Selective Laser Melting/Direct Metal Printing) These technologies are used to print metal parts, where the metal powder is melted and solidified by laser light. Titanium alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, stainless steel, aluminum
Polymerization MJM/MJP (MultiJet Modeling/MultiJet Printing) These techniques are used to create accurate and detailed models using multiple jets that deposit material with precision. Photopolymer resins
Polymerization SLA/LCD/DLP (Stereolithography/Liquid Crystal Display/Digital Light Processing) These technologies use photosensitive fluids and ultraviolet radiation to create highly detailed and complex objects. Photopolymer resins
Extrusion FGF (Fused granulate fabrication) The technology is carried out by melting granular plastics and feeding the resulting mass at a constant speed through a nozzle onto the platform. Granulated thermoplastics

1. A special case of 3D printing with thermoplastics - FDM technology. 

Layer-by-layer application of the material by extruding the polymer through a die (nozzle) and bonding the next layer to the previous one by means of adhesion. Adhesion is due to intermolecular interactions in the surface layer and is characterized by the specific work required to separate surfaces.

All the temperature from the heating block is transferred to the model, which significantly affects the accuracy of the manufacture of products, especially with small sizes (up to 1 cm). With this 3D printing technology, we print with the following materials: PET G (FDM) ABS (FDM) PLA (FDM) WAX (FDM) SBS (FDM) Nylon (FDM) Ceramo (FDM) Composite (FDM) TPU Flex (FDM) ABS M30 (FFF) SO(Fff)

2. A special case of 3D printing with polyamide powders - SLS technology. 

Selective sintering with a laser beam of preliminarily thin-laid layers of material. With this 3D printing technology, we print with the following materials: Polyamide PA2200 (SLS) Polyamide PA12 (SLS) TPU Flexa Black (SLS). 

3. A special case of 3D printing with metal powders - SLM technology.

Selective melting by a laser beam of preliminarily thin-laid layers of metal powder. With this 3D printing technology, we print with the following materials: Steel (SLM) Aluminum (SLM). 

4. A special case of 3D printing with UV curable resins – SLA technologies.

Any principle can be used as material presentation. It can be a container with liquid, it can be an extruder with fine nozzles. The technology itself consists in the local hardening of a liquid photopolymer resin by targeted exposure to UV radiation. With this 3D printing technology, we print with the following materials: Photopolymer resin (SLA) VisiJet (MJM), VisiJet WAX (MJM),  Burnout photopolymer resin (SLA) Dental photopolymer resin (LETTUCE). 

5. A special case of 3D printing with UV-approved resins – MJM/MJP technologies.

Similar to additive manufacturing Binder Jetting, Material Jetting (MJ) is also known as wax casting. Unlike other types of 3D printers on this list, there is no clear inventor to give credit for Material Jetting. Many MJ printers work with liquid photopolymers, which, as you may know, require exposure to ultraviolet light to cure and bond.

6. A special case of 3D printing with granules – FGF technologies.

Fused Granule Making (FGF) is an extrusion-based 3D printing technology in which plastic pellets (also known as plastic pellets) are melted and fed through a nozzle. It can also be called "Pellet Pellet Making", "Pellet Pellet Making" or "Pellet 3D Printing".