1. Current Tabletop Printers Use FDM Technology
Uses heated nozzles that extrude a filament of plastic
X-Y interface moves nozzle to create each layer
Z interface lowers after each layer is added to prepare for next layer

3. Anatomy of a Nozzle

4. Wait, what the heck is that?
Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) technology
Uses UV curable resin (think, screen printing)

5. Back to Reality – What can Tabletop Printers Do?
Sturdy parts
Relatively low material costs
Time tested technology (even if only
at an industrial level)
Lots of variety in the types of
printers and printing supplies
Low cost printers not always reliable
Affected by temperature, humidity, etc.
Cannot build models with gaps or hollow
areas very well
Lots of variety in the types of
printers and printing supplies

8. Needle in a Haystack http://www.3ders.org/pricecompare/3dprinters/

10. Help Finding that Needle

11. (Note: This doesn’t always mean best!)
Most Popular
(Note: This doesn’t always mean best!)

12. Materials Galore

13. Materials Galore

14. PLA ABS Cooler temperature (190-210C) Less curling/bending/warping
Less sensitive to cool temperatures
No simple solvent
Brighter colors
Hotter temperatures ( C)
More curling/bending/warping
Prints best in a heated environment
Acetone solvent (evaporation smoothing)
Slightly duller colors