Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a printing process that pushes a solid filament through a heated extruder; melting the filament. The printer then lays down the now melted filament in layers one at a time onto the print bed. The printer does this by reading a G-code that tells it how and where to move. The level of detail in a print can be altered in slicing software, but is often dependent on the diameter of the extruder nozzle. FDM is the most common type of 3D printing at the current moment.

Resin Printing

Stereolithography (SLA), or more commonly called "resin printing", uses a liquid, photosensitive resin instead of filament to print. This liquid resin is placed into a tank and exposed to UV light. The resin reacts to the UV light and is cured onto a build plate. The building plate is then repeatedly dipped into that tank to repeat the process. The printer does this as many times as there are layers for the model. After the model has been removed from the build plate the model will require additional UV exposure. This final exposure can be done in a "curing station," a UV kiln, or even outside in the sun. Although, for best results someone printing should use some sort of curing station. This final step can be seen in much the same way as curing pottery, but using UV light instead of heat.

                               FDM                                                                                                  Resin