Stereolithography (SLA)
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
The advantages of SLS compared to SLM are listed below:
1. SLS-printed parts have excellent mechanical properties.
2. SLS easily makes complex-geometry parts since no supports are needed.
3. SLS allows the recycling and reusing of unsintered powders.
The disadvantages of SLS compared to SLM are listed below:
1. SLS printers have long lead times since only industrial-scale SLS printers are widely available.
2. SLS parts commonly have poor and grainy surface finishes and may require post-processing to achieve desired surface finishes.
3. Warping and oversintering can occur on large, flat surfaces and small holes in SLS-printed parts.
Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
The advantages of SLM compared to SLS are listed below:
1. An extensive range of potential materials makes SLM a well-rounded, robust alternative to traditional metal-fabrication methods.
2. SLM can reduce manufacturing lead times and tooling costs.
The disadvantages of SLM compared to SLS are listed below:
1. SLM systems are expensive due to their costly technology and equipment.
2. SLM requires extensive post-processing to achieve desired surface finishes.
3. SLM requires increased material usage due to the need for support for overhangs on parts during printing.
Layer Object Manufacturing (LOM)
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
3-Dimentional Printing (3DP)
Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)
