3D printing in Omnia tech
fdm
sla
Fused deposition modeling, or FDM 3D Printing, is a method of additive manufacturing where layers of materials are fused together in a pattern to create an object. The material is usually melted just past its glass transition temperature, and then extruded in a pattern next to or on top of previous extrusions, creating an object layer by layer.
In layman’s terms, a typical FDM 3D printer takes a plastic filament and squeezes it through a hot end, melting it and then depositing it in layers on the print bed. These layers are fused together, building up throughout the print, and eventually they will form the finished part.
FDM is the same as fused filament fabrication (FFF), but the term “fused deposition modeling” and the abbreviated “FDM” were trademarked by Stratasys in 1991, creating the need for a second name.
Many types of materials can be used with FDM techniques, including the most common thermoplastics, chocolate, pastes, and even “exotic” materials like metal- or wood-infused thermoplastic.
Widely accepted as the simplest way to achieve 3D printing, FDM is cheap and fairly efficient. FDM 3D printers dominate the 3D printing market, almost drowning out more expensive methods.
The most common resins are: ABS, PLA, PET, TPU.
SLA holds the historical distinction of being the world’s first 3D printing technology. Stereolithography was invented by Chuck Hull in 1986, who filed a patent on the technology and founded the company 3D Systems to commercialize it.
An SLA printer uses mirrors, known as galvanometers or galvos, with one positioned on the X-axis and another on the Y-axis. These galvos rapidly aim a laser beam across a vat of resin, selectively curing and solidifying a cross-section of the object inside this building area, building it up layer by layer.
Most SLA printers use a solid-state laser to cure parts. The disadvantage of these types of 3D printing technology using a point laser is that it can take longer to trace the cross-section of an object when compared to our next method (DLP), which hardens an entire layer at once.
The most common resins among the standard ones are:
- Greyscale resins
- Clear Resins
- Draft Resins