Overview of 3D Printing Technologies

Technology Comparison

Future of 3D Printing 2026: Trends, Technologies & Applications

What Is the Future of 3D Printing? The future of 3D printing is defined by a structural transition from prototyping-centric workflows to production-integrated manufacturing systems. Rather than replacing conventional processes such as CNC machining or injection molding, additive manufacturing is increasingly positioned as a complementary production method for geometrically complex, low-to-medium volume, and highly customized components. This transition is being driven by concurrent improvements in pro......

Jun 18, 2026

Technology Comparison

3D Printing vs CNC Service: How to Choose the Right Manufacturing Method

3D printing and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) service are two popular manufacturing methods that have gained widespread attention in recent years. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, involves building 3D objects layer by layer from a digital model, while CNC service, also known as subtractive manufacturing, involves cutting away material from a solid block to create a desired shape. Both methods offer unique capabilities and advantages, and understanding their key characteristics is ......

Jun 13, 2026

Metal Printing

Metal Surface Polishing: Methods, Roughness & Ra Guide

Key Takeaways Metal surface polishing is not a cosmetic step—it is a controlled Ra reduction process that directly impacts friction, corrosion resistance, and coating adhesion. Different polishing methods are defined by achievable Ra ranges, not by process names. Mechanical, electrochemical, and mass finishing methods are not interchangeable—they operate in different geometry and production constraints. Selection rule: choose polishing method based on target Ra + geometry accessibility + production vo......

Jun 09, 2026

SLA Printing

SLA vs DLP 3D Printing: The Ultimate Guide to Speed, Accuracy, and Choosing the Right Technology

SLA vs DLP 3D Printing: What’s the Difference? When discussing modern resin 3D printing, SLA (stereolithography) and DLP (digital light processing) are two technologies that are hard to ignore in both the history and evolution of resin printing. As two of the most widely used resin printing methods today, both processes use liquid photopolymer resin and UV light to build highly detailed parts layer by layer. However, they differ significantly in how each layer is cured, which directly affects print sp......

May 29, 2026

Metal Printing

Can You 3D Print Metal at Home? Costs & Methods

Key Takeaways Not a Single Step: Metal 3D printing at home is a multi-stage process (Printing + Debinding + Sintering). The initial "green part" is a fragile composite, not functional metal. High Hidden Costs: While metal 3d printers for home are cheap, the specialized furnaces required for sintering cost $10,000–$30,000 and carry significant safety risks. Performance Limits: DIY parts often suffer from high porosity and unpredictable 15-20% shrinkage, unlike industrial SLM/BJ which reaches 99%+ densi......

May 21, 2026

Technology Comparison

PolyJet Alternatives: Compare Full Color 3D Printing Technologies

What Is PolyJet 3D Printing? PolyJet, commercialized by companies like Stratasys, is one of the most widely recognized material jetting technologies for high-resolution, multi-material 3D printing. PolyJet usually enters the conversation when a project demands a level of detail that standard FDM or SLS just can't touch (Here’s a comparison of FDM vs SLS vs SLA if you want to look into that). Unlike other additive processes that extrude a bead of plastic or melt a bed of powder, PolyJet operates more l......

Apr 23, 2026

PBF

Powder Bed Fusion 3D Printing: How It Works

The Fine Art of Printing With Powder (source: ScienceDirect) Most people picture 3D printing as a spool of filament feeding into a nozzle or a vat of liquid resin curing under UV light. But powder bed 3D printing works differently. Instead of extruding material or curing liquid, it spreads ultra-thin layers of powder across a build platform and selectively fuses or binds them into solid parts, one layer at a time. This approach opens the door to materials and performance levels that filament and stand......

Mar 02, 2026

Metal Printing

Metal Polishing Processes Compared: 3D Printed vs Cast vs Machined Parts

What Is the Main Difference in Polishing 3D Printed, Cast, and Machined Metal Parts? The main difference lies in the starting surface condition and internal structure of the parts. Polishing metal parts requires a removal process to address defects related to the casting process. Cast parts need polishing to normalize their inherently uneven surface, while polishing 3D metal parts refines a geometrically controlled but rough surface. In other words, the goal of polishing changes depending on how the p......

Feb 28, 2026

Wax 3D Printing

Wax 3D Printing Explained: Uses, Benefits, and How to 3D Print Wax

(Freepik) When most people hear “wax 3D printing,” they think of ornate rings and lost-wax casting for tiny objects. But the reality is far more advanced. Wax 3D printing has evolved into a high-resolution tooling method that’s critical in aerospace, dental prosthetics, precision engineering, and even biomedical R&D. In fact, 3D printing wax filament isn’t even real wax most of the time, it’s a thermoplastic formulated to burn cleanly during investment casting, with near-zero ash residue and highly pr......

Jan 02, 2026

Technology Comparison

MJF TPU vs FDM TPU: Best 3D TPU Printing Method in 2026

Do you struggle with poor results from FDM TPU printing—like visible layer lines and inconsistent strength? Or are you worried that using MJF technology for TPU parts might be too expensive when you only need a few initial samples? These problems may simply come from choosing the wrong 3D TPU printing method. Take it easy, guys. Now it is the time we break them down. This 2026 3d TPU guide will help you know the facts. So, you can pick the best choice for your flexible 3D TPU projects. 1. What Makes T......

Nov 29, 2025

PBF

Choosing the Right Powder Bed Fusion 3D Printer for Your Application

Understanding Powder Bed Fusion Machine Types Before you compare specs or scroll through price sheets, you need to sort PBF machines into two big buckets: polymer systems and metal systems. Both use the same broad idea, a laser (or energy source) melting or sintering powder layer-by-layer, but they behave like two completely different species once you look under the hood. Polymer Powder Bed Fusion (SLS) Machines Polymer PBF systems (mostly SLS Printing) use nylon powders like PA11, PA12, or TPU. They’......

Nov 25, 2025

Technology Comparison

Binder Jetting vs SLM Metal 3D Printing: Which Is Best?

1. Introduction As metal 3D printing continues to grow rapidly, two technologies are discussed more than any others: Metal Binder Jetting (MBJ) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM). Engineers and beginners often ask the same questions: “SLM vs Binder Jetting — which one is better?”“Metal Binder Jetting vs SLM — which should I choose for my project?” The truth is, each technology has its strengths. According to the metal 3D printing market report from ResearchAndMarkets, the global metal 3D printing marke......

Nov 21, 2025

Material Jetting

What is Binder Jetting? Process, Benefits, and Applications

Binder jetting (BJ) is a versatile additive manufacturing technology that is used to print polymer, metal, ceramic and sand parts. The Binder jetting 3d printing technology uses powdered materials upon which the print head selectively deposits a liquid binding agent (binder) to fuse adjacent powdered particles together to form a bond. It can be understood better by considering it a mix of powder bed fusion and material jetting technologies in a way that it uses powdered material and also uses a binder......

Sep 29, 2025

Material Jetting

What is Material Jetting 3D Printing | The Complete Guide

So, what exactly is material jetting additive manufacturing? It’s like those office inkjets, only this one’s built for serious work. Instead of laying down ink on paper, it shoots out tiny drops of liquid photopolymer onto a flat platform. A quick flash of UV light locks each pass in place. Layer after layer, the shape takes form until you’re holding a finished part. What makes it shine are the little things, sharp edges, clean surfaces, and the ability to blend materials in a single build. Material J......

Sep 25, 2025

Material Jetting

Binder Jet 3D Printing: Complete Technology Guide

What is Binder Jetting 3D Printing? Understanding the Basics Binder jetting is often compared to inkjet printing, but on steroids. Instead of spraying ink on paper, the machine lays down a liquid binder onto a thin layer of powder. Each sweep of the print head sticks particles together, one layer at a time, until you’ve got what’s called a “green part.” Once it’s out of the machine, the loose powder is blown or brushed away, and the part usually needs curing and then sintering or infiltration to get i......

Sep 19, 2025

Material Jetting

Binder Jetting vs Material Jetting Key Differences

Jetting Technology in Additive Manufacturing Jetting has become one of the buzziest approaches in additive manufacturing, but the word itself causes headaches. Binder Jetting technology, Material Jetting, Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), even Metal Jet, they all sound like they’re versions of the same idea. They’re not. Each one works differently and serves very different needs. The roots of jetting-based 3D printing trace back to plain old inkjet printers. Engineers noticed: if you can shoot microscopic drops......

Sep 19, 2025

Material Jetting

How Material Jetting 3D Printing Tech Works & When to Use it

Material jetting is one of the most precise and visually detailed 3D printing methods available today. If you imagine how inkjet printers work, layering ink dot by dot, material jetting 3D printing works similarly, but with droplets of photopolymer resin or wax that are cured layer by layer using UV light. This method shines in applications where ultra-smooth surface finish, high accuracy, and color realism are critical. But it’s not for everyone, costs, material options, and durability limitations ke......

Sep 19, 2025

Technology Comparison

SLS Vs. MJF 3D Printing Technology

In the ever-evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, 3D printing has emerged as a transformative force, revolutionizing the way products are designed, prototyped, and produced. Among the myriad of 3D printing technologies available, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)stand out as two prominent contenders, each offering unique capabilities that cater to distinct manufacturing needs. This article delves into the intricacies of these two innovative 3D printing methods, exploring......

Aug 25, 2025

Technology Comparison

SLA vs FDM 3D Printing: Which One’s Right for You?

If you're stepping into 3D printing, whether you're prototyping a product, customizing a part, or just geeking out on high-precision prints, you've probably come across the showdown: SLA vs FDM 3D printing. These two technologies dominate the desktop and industrial scenes, but they’re vastly different in how they work, what they produce, and when to use each. Whether you're a product developer needing fine detail or a manufacturer building quick functional parts, knowing the differences between SLA an......

Aug 20, 2025

FDM Printing

How Accurate is FDM 3D Printing for Prototyping?

When speed and affordability matter, FDM 3D printing often takes center stage in prototyping. But there's one question that comes up time and again, how accurate is FDM 3D printing really? If you're developing a functional prototype, testing fitment, or evaluating mechanical properties, understanding the accuracy of 3D printing, especially FDM, can be the difference between a reliable test piece and a misleading mockup. (souruce: Unsplash) What is FDM 3D Printing? FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is a ......

Aug 19, 2025

Material Jetting

WJP 3D Printing: Full-Colour Resin Models for Medical, Art & More

Potential of Full Colour Resins in WJP technology One of the most attractive results you can achieve with 3D printing comes from using WJP (White Jet Process) technology and full-colour resin materials. This high-resolution technology can be applied in various industries, including the medical and educational fields, for artistic purposes, and also as props in movies, for creating realistic rapid prototypes and miniatures. It utilizes photopolymer jetting to create objects with a smooth surface, witho......

Aug 14, 2025

SLS Printing

SLS Printing: The Ultimate Solution for Complex 3D Printed Parts

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) 3D printing technology can break the design barriers in the world of additive manufacturing. Whether you're working on functional prototyping, intricate mechanical parts, or artistic prototypes, SLS printing offers unparalleled design freedom. This technology uses fine polyamide (nylon) powder as its material to create complex objects layer-by-layer with a high degree of precision. The essential tool of Selective Laser Sintering is the powerful laser that selectively fu......

Jun 30, 2025

FDM Printing

Dual Extruder 3D Printer: Types, Principles and Tips

In the 3D printing industry, with the development of dual-extrusion technology, engineers can now use dual extruder 3d printers to print parts composed of two or more materials. Compared with traditional single-extrusion printers, dual extruder 3d printers have significant advantages in functionality and application range, but at the same time, design difficulty and maintenance costs also increase. This article introduces the types, working principles, advantages and disadvantages, and printing techni......

Dec 04, 2024

Technology Comparison

The Limits of 3D Printing: Comparison with Traditional Manufacturing

3D printing technology provides new solutions for the manufacturing industry in rapid prototyping, customized production and manufacturing complex geometric structures. So can 3D printing replace traditional manufacturing? Compared with traditional manufacturing processes, 3D printing still has some obvious limitations in terms of scale speed, material selection, cost efficiency, size and accuracy. This article explores the main limitations of 3D printing from several key perspectives and makes a deta......

Sep 20, 2024

Material Jetting

Applying WJP Technology in 3D Printed Figures

Full-color 3D printed figures is an innovative and groundbreaking technology. By combining 3D scanning/photography technology, it can reproduce the image of characters with high accuracy in details and colors. There have been many successful cases in China. The 31st World University Games was held in Chengdu in 2023. The highly anticipated "3D Photo Studio" has attracted many people to experience and customize a mini version of themselves. According to the staff at the Games, you only need to enter th......

Aug 29, 2024

Technology Comparison

Examining and Differentiating Vacuum Casting, 3D Printing, and Injection Moulding

Vacuum Casting, 3D Printing, and Injection Moulding are the three most popular processes for producing plastic objects worldwide. To make the best decision for your projects, you must first understand their distinctions and weigh the pros and cons. Vacuum Casting Vacuum casting is a manufacturing technique for creating small production runs and prototypes. It entails utilizing a primary template that is created, usually by CNC machining or 3D printing, to make a silicone mold. The mold is then filled ......

Mar 21, 2024

FDM Printing

Exploring the Potential of FDM for Flexible 3D Printing

What is flexible 3D printing? The term "flexible 3D printing" describes the technique of producing three-dimensional goods with materials that have elasticity and may compress, bend, or stretch. FDM 3D Printing Flexible FDM 3D printing makes use of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to create three-dimensional things out of flexible and elastic materials. varying degrees of flexibility and durability can be produced by adapting FDM printers to accept flexible filaments such as thermoplastic elastomers (......

Jan 27, 2024

Technology Comparison

Injection Molding vs. 3D Printing: A Comparative Study

Injection molding and 3D printing are two favored manufacturing technologies used in the creation of plastic items. What Is Injection Molding? Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing plastic parts in large quantities. It involves injecting molten plastic into a specially designed mold, allowing it to cool and solidify, and then removing the finished part. The process offers high production speed, excellent part quality, and material versatility. However, it requires upfront investme......

Jan 11, 2024

Technology Comparison

Comparing FDM, SLA, and SLS Technologies: Pros and Cons

What is Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is creating three-dimensional physical objects from digital designs or models. It operates by building objects layer by layer, gradually adding material until the final object is formed. This differs from traditional manufacturing methods, which involve removing material from a solid block. To begin the 3D printing process, a digital 3D model is first created using computer-aided design (CAD) software or obta......

Jan 02, 2024

Technology Comparison

What Is The Difference Between Additive Manufacturing And Subtractive Manufacturing?

Additive Manufacturing vs. Subtractive Manufacturing: A Comparative Overview What is Additive Manufacturing? Additive manufacturing, often known as 3D printing, is a manufacturing technique that involves layering material to create three-dimensional things. The process begins with a computerized 3D model of the item divided into several cross-sectional layers. The final product is then created by sequentially printing or depositing these layers utilizing different methods. Additive manufacturing is ap......

Jan 02, 2024

Metal Printing

Metal 3D Printing: An Overview Of The Technology And Its Process

What is Metal 3D Printing? Metal 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing or metal additive manufacturing, creates three-dimensional items by selectively depositing or melting metal powders layer by layer. Electron beam melting (EBM) and selective laser melting (SLM) are two approaches used to accomplish this. To conventional manufacturing techniques, metal 3D printing offers enhanced design flexibility, intricate geometries, and great precision in producing complex and customized metal parts......

Jan 02, 2024

SLA Printing

What's the Difference Between Desktop and Industrial SLA 3D Printers?

In the world of 3D printing,Stereolithography (SLA) has gained prominence for its precision and versatility. SLA technology, which uses a UV laser to solidify liquid resin layer by layer, has given rise to both desktop and industrial SLA 3D printers. Understanding the distinctions between these two categories is crucial for making informed decisions about which one suits your needs. Let's delve into the nuances of desktop and industrial SLA 3D printers. Comparison: Desktop vs. Industrial SLA 3D Printe......

Dec 29, 2023

Metal Printing

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) vs. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMSL)

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) stand as prominent players within the realm of metal 3D printing, each characterized by its unique approach. In the DMLS process, a high-powered laser follows a CAD model to selectively melt and sinter layers of metal powder. This method results in partial fusion of powder particles, offering versatility in material selection while potentially introducing slight porosity and variations in mechanical properties. On the other hand, SL......

Dec 29, 2023