LibGuides: 3D Printing &amp; Learning: Equipment and Materials

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) Printers

Fuse Deposition Modeling (FDM) Printers print by melting filament at high temperatures and extruding them layer-by-layer. Each layer sticks to previous layers, and these layers adhere to each other and solidify to form the printed object.

Raise3D Pro 2 Plus:

Photo credit: Raise3D

Build Volume: 12 x 12 x 23.8 inches
Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Resolution: 400 - 10 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj
Dual Extruder: can print two colors during the same print job

LulzBot Mini v2.0:

Photo credit: LulzBot

Build Volume: 6.3 x 6.3 x 7.09 inches
Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Resolution: 400 - 50 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj

LulzBot TAZ Pro:

Lulzbot TAZ Pro

Photo credit: LulzBot

Build Volume: 11.02 x 11.02 x 11.22 inches
Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Resolution: 400 - 50 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj
Dual Extruder: can print two colors during the same print job

Ultimaker 3 Extended:

Photo credit: Ultimaker

Build Volume: 8.5 x 8.5 x 11.8 inches
Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Resolution: 200 - 60 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj
Dual Extruder: can print two colors during the same print job

Raise3D Pro 3:

Photo credit: Raise3D

Build Volume: 11.8 x 11.8 x 11.8 inches
Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Resolution: 250 - 10 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj
Dual Extruder: can print two colors during the same print job

Original Prusa i3 MK3S:

Photo credit: Prusa

Build Volume: 9.84 x 8.3 x 8.3 inches
Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Resolution: 250 - 50 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj

Stereolithography (SLA) and Masked Stereolithography (MSLA) Printers

Stereolithography (SLA) printers convert liquid resin into hardened plastic by curing the layers with an ultraviolet (UV) laser.

Ultimate Guide to SLA 3D printing
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn about the different stereolithography systems, various materials and their characteristics, and how stereolithography compares to other technologies on the market.

While Stereolithographic (SLA) printers use lasers to cure resin, Masked Stereolithographic (MSLA) printers use an LCD screen to cure the resin layers.

ELEGOO Mars 2 Pro (MSLA Printer):

Photo credit: ELEGOO

Build Volume: 5.08 x 3.15 x 6.3 inches
Material: Photopolymer Resin
Resolution: 25, 50, 100 microns
Supported File Types: .stl, .obj
After printing, the object needs to be put through an isopropyl alcohol wash and cured under ultraviolet (UV) light.

3D Printing & Learning