Large format, as you may have guessed, refers to build volumes that cross 15-20 cm. At present, most large 3D printers work best around 30 cm for one dimension and in the range of 15 to 30 cm for the rest of the dimensions.
Using these, you can build a vast array of parts, prototypes in their intended scale, and formulate different models for practically any kind of application, be it healthcare, factory production, consumer products, etc. Here, we will cover the differences between a large resin printer and FDM printers.
Key Differences between a Large Resin Printer and a Filament-based Printer
Resins and Thermoplastics are two of the most well-used liquid-based materials for 3D printers. For instance, a large SLA printer uses resins whereas FDM printers create products from the latter.
Here is a brief comparison among these two materials based on four essential parameters:
Quality: Resin is superior in terms of material quality as compared to any of the thermoplastics. You can still try to match the printing standard that a large resin printer provides using an FDM printer. For this, the printing time will have to be increased that will lead to an increase in your costs as well.
One of the reasons behind its better quality is also the use of a precise and formidable laser that takes into account even the minutest of movements, resulting in improved print resolutions and greater quality in general.
SLA printers also have a reduced minimum layer height than that of FDM printers. This plays its own role in providing better detail and quality. Although high-end FDM printers that use Nylon, PLA, or PETG offer far better quality than their less expensive counterparts, they still aren’t a match for resin printers due to their ability to show every fine detail with precision.
User-friendliness: Thermoplastic filament for 3D printers is simpler to handle than resin which is why beginners are typically recommended to use it. It takes a few additional steps to get to the final product when you print using a large resin printer.
First, you have to cleanse the resin from the printed product with the help of isopropyl alcohol, after which it requires curing under UV light.
On the other hand, filament products don’t require any sort of additional washing or processing. All you need is a specially-designed magnet to pull out the completed part.
Toughness: Resin contains properties that make it intrinsically strong, so even an average large SLA printer can produce more durable products than extremely costly FDM printers - let alone a premium model. Large-scale producers give preference to a strong filament for 3D printers and less expensive technology (FDM).
Cost: SLA printers, due to the above-mentioned advantages, are more expensive as compared to FDM printers. While FDM printers vary in terms of cost, they are not as expensive as resin 3D printers. The cost difference gets bigger with an improvement in quality.
Conclusion
Large format 3D printing technology has progressed over the years, making it possible to build large pieces and prototypes in a cost-effective manner. Therefore, a lot more companies can harness this power to boost product design and manufacturing.
You can browse through the extensive range of FDM and SLA printers at Evo 3D to explore all the products this 3D printer shop UK has to offer. Let us know if you’re ready to take your business one step further with 3D printing.
