Stereolithography (SLA) | Stereolithography High Res. (SLA HR) | Digital Light Processing (DLP) | Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) | Direct Metal Laser Sintering Production (DMLS Pro) | Direct Metal Laser Sintering High Res. (DMLS HR) | Hybrid Photosynthesis (HPS) | Vacuum Casting (VC) | Machining (CNC/high-speed CNC) | |
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Description | High quality precision prints, excellent detail & definition. Wide range of materials. | SLA prints with ultra fine detail & definition. | Super high resolution for small & complex parts in durable prototype & production materials. | Very tough, high impact and high-temperature resistant. Range of nylon materials. | Metal parts with excellent physical and mechanical properties – full production spec (>99% density). | High resolution metal prints with superior surface finish and ultra-fine detail. | High-definition parts with production grade functional properties. | Multiple parts in range of PU and silicon materials – excellent simulation of moulded parts. | Production plastics and metals cut to precise tolerances. |
Layer Thickness | 0.1mm | 0.05mm | 0.01-0.05mm | 0.1-0.15mm | 0.03-0.06mm | 0.015-0.025mm | 0.05-0.1mm | N/A | N/A |
Minimum printable XY features | 0.15mm | 0.08mm | 0.1mm | 0.75mm | 0.2mm | 0.1mm | 0.1mm | 0.5mm | 0.05mm |
Minimum printable Z feature | 0.5mm | 0.5mm | 0.3mm | 0.5mm | 0.06mm | 0.03mm | 0.3mm | 0.5mm | 0.05mm |
Typical Tolerance | +/- 0.15 Per 100mm | +/- 0.10 Per 100mm | +/- 0.25 Per 100mm | +/- 0.25 Per 100mm | +/- 0.10 Per 100mm | +/- 0.10 Per 100mm | +/- 0.25 Per 100mm | +/- 0.5 Per 100mm | +/- 0.01 Per 100mm |
Max Part Size | 650 x 750 x 550mm | 450 x 450 x 415mm | 124x70.2x196mm | 320 x 320 x 600mm | 250x250x305mm | 90x90x90mm | 249x140x495mm | 1500 x 700 x 500mm | 1000 x 600 x 600mm |
Quality of printed Surface Finish | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Lead Times | 3-5 Days | 3-5 Days | 3-5 Days | 3-5 Days | 5-7 Days | 5-7 Days | 3-5 days | 5-10 Days | 1-3 Weeks |
Price | ££ | £££ | ££ | £ | £££ | ££££ | ££ | £££ | ££ |
SLA - Process | SLA HR - Process | DLP - Process | SLS - Process | DMLS Pro - Process | DMLS HR - Process | HPS - Process | VC - Process | CNC - Process |