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LPE | Rapid Prototyping & Additive Manufacturing > Rapid Prototyping Technical Resources > Additive Manufacturing Process Comparison
Additive Manufacturing Process Comparison
| Stereolithography - Std. | Stereolithography - High Res. | Selective Laser Sintering | Metal Sintering | Vacuum Casting | CNC Machining | FDM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | •High Quality Models •Choice of 8 Materials | •Detail & Definition •Features down to 0.01mm | •Excellent strength & functionality
•Suitable for Low Volume Production | •Feature rich metal components | •Low volume production in range of near production grade materials | •Functional models and parts •Production plastics and metals | •Good Strength & Functional
•Less accurate |
Max Part Size | 650 x 750 x 550mm | 125 x 125 x 125mm | 320 x 320 x 600mm | 250x250x330mm | 1500 x 700 x 500mm | 1000 x 600 x 600mm | 355 x 254 x 254mm |
Surface Finish - Details | •Standard - Finish external surfaces to smooth
•Additional - Gloss, Water-Clear, Spark, Matt.. | •Standard - Finish external surfaces to smooth
•Additional - Gloss, Water-Clear, Spark, Matt.. | •Standard - Texture similar to very fine sandpaper
• Additional - Contact sales team | •Surface finish is similar to good investment castings | •Standard - Finish external surfaces to smooth
•Additional - Gloss, Water-Clear, Spark, Matt.. | •As milled - some tool marks may be visible | •Standard
•Not as smooth as SLS |
Surface Finish - Grading | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ |
Material Strength | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
Min. Feature / Wall Thickness | 0.5mm ★★★★ | 0.25 ★★★★★ | 0.8mm ★★★ | 0.3mm ★★★★★ | 0.5mm ★★★★ | 0.5mm ★★★★ | 1mm ★★★★ |
Max. Temperature | 240°C ★★★★★ | 60°C ★★★ | 180°C ★★★★ | +800°C ★★★★ | 175°C ★★★★ | Material Dependent | 120°C ★★★ |
Lead Times | 2-5 Days | 2-5 Days | 2-5 Days | 3-6 Days | 5-8 Days | 1-4 Weeks | 4-6 Days |
Price | ££ | £££ | £ | £££ | £££ | ££ | £ |
| Stereolithography - Std. | Stereolithography - High Res. | Selective Laser Sintering | Metal Sintering | Vacuum Casting | CNC Machining | FDM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description | •High Quality Models •Choice of 8 Materials | •Detail & Definition •Features down to 0.01mm | •Excellent strength & functionality
•Suitable for Low Volume Production | •Feature rich metal components | •Low volume production in range of near production grade materials | •Functional models and parts •Production plastics and metals | •Good Strength & Functional
•Less accurate |
Max Part Size | 650 x 750 x 550mm | 125 x 125 x 125mm | 320 x 320 x 600mm | 250x250x330mm | 1500 x 700 x 500mm | 1000 x 600 x 600mm | 355 x 254 x 254mm |
Surface Finish - Details | •Standard - Finish external surfaces to smooth
•Additional - Gloss, Water-Clear, Spark, Matt.. | •Standard - Finish external surfaces to smooth
•Additional - Gloss, Water-Clear, Spark, Matt.. | •Standard - Texture similar to very fine sandpaper
• Additional - Contact sales team | •Surface finish is similar to good investment castings | •Standard - Finish external surfaces to smooth
•Additional - Gloss, Water-Clear, Spark, Matt.. | •As milled - some tool marks may be visible | •Standard
•Not as smooth as SLS |
Surface Finish - Grading | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★ |
Material Strength | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
Min. Feature / Wall Thickness | 0.5mm ★★★★ | 0.25 ★★★★★ | 0.8mm ★★★ | 0.3mm ★★★★★ | 0.5mm ★★★★ | 0.5mm ★★★★ | 1mm ★★★★ |
Max. Temperature | 240°C ★★★★★ | 60°C ★★★ | 180°C ★★★★ | 200°C ★★★★ | 175°C ★★★★ | Material Dependent | 120°C ★★★ |
Lead Times | 2-5 Days | 2-5 Days | 2-5 Days | 3-6 Days | 5-8 Days | 1-4 Weeks | 4-6 Days |
Price | ££ | £££ | £ | £££ | £££ | ££ | £ |
