8 Types of 3D Printing Processes

Architecture firms use 3D printers to print scale models of their designs, and they commonly regard SLS as the most suitable type of 3D printing technology. This is due to the larger build volumes available and the ability of SLS to build parts with exceptional detail.

How Much Does a 3D Printer Cost?

There are many different types of 3D printers on the market. As such, a 3D printer can cost as little as $150 for an entry-level FDM machine. The cost of advanced DMLS machines starts at around $250,000. 3D printers can be purchased directly from suppliers or on third-party websites like Amazon.

Is It Possible To Start a Business With a 3D Printer?

Yes, it is possible to start a business operation using a 3D printer. However, there is a low barrier to entry, so the market may well be saturated with like-minded individuals. However, using the latest 3D printing methods and supplying to a niche market is a good place to start. 

Is 3D Printing a Profitable Business?

Yes, 3D printing can be a profitable business venture, especially if advanced 3D printing services and materials are offered as these markets can see higher margins.

How Much Can You Earn in 3D Printing?

The question of how much one can earn in a 3D printing business depends entirely on the products and services offered. The value of printed goods can also vary from a few cents for plastic trinkets to thousands of dollars for advanced metal parts.  The more specialized technologies and ones that use more exotic materials will tend to have higher price points and larger margins due to less competition. However, the start-up costs to equip a business with the needed machines and materials may also be greater.

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM),

 sometimes called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is a 3D printing technology that uses a process called Material Extrusion. Material Extrusion devices are the most widely available - and inexpensive - of the types of 3D printing technology in the world today.

 
They work by a process where a spool of filament of solid thermoplastic material (PLA, ABS, PET) is loaded into the 3D printer. It is then pushed by a motor through a heated nozzle, where it melts. The printer’s extrusion head then moves along specific coordinates, depositing the 3D printing material on a build platform where the printer filament cools and solidifies, forming a solid object.

Once the layer is complete, the printer lays down another layer, repeating the process until the object is fully formed. Depending on the object’s complexity and geometry, support structures are sometimes added, for example, if the object has steep overhanging parts.

Common applications for FDM include electrical housings, form and fit testings, jigs and fixtures, and investment casting patterns.

Strengths of FDM are that it offers the best surface finish plus full color along with the fact there are multiple materials available for its use.

It is limited by being brittle, therefore unsuitable for mechanical parts. It also has a higher cost than SLA/DLP.