Termoplasty
FDM
3D part manufacturing through layer-by-layer deposition of selectively melted thermoplastic polymers which come in the form of filaments, thereby also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF). Widely accessible and user friendly FDM, which uses many of the thermoplastics used in injection molding, is the most common plastic 3D printing technology and remains a favorite for quick prototyping across all levels of industry. Surface finish is highly affected by printing strategy and is not uniform across all sides of the part.
SLS
3D part manufacturing where particles of thermoplastic polymer powder are selectively melted using a high-power laser. The powder is deposited across the whole printing surface for each layer, where the un-melted polymer acts as a support for the printed piece which can later be brushed off and recycled. This makes SLS ideal for complex geometries, and boasts great mechanical properties, closely resembling their injection molded counterparts. Popular cost-effective alternative to injection molding due to minimized tooling costs. This cost-effectiveness remains relevant for production volumes <1000 pcs.
