PolyJet vs FDM 3D Printing - What's the Difference?
3D printing has revolutionized the world of prototyping and manufacturing. With the advent of new technologies, such as PolyJet and FDM, 3D printing has become even more versatile and accessible. But which one is better?
Understanding the Basics
To understand the difference between PolyJet and FDM printing, let's first understand their basic principles.
FDM 3D Printing
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing is a technology that works on the principle of depositing layers of molten thermoplastic material to create a 3D print. FDM 3D printers use a spool of thermoplastic filament that is heated and extruded through a nozzle, which moves in a controlled manner, layer by layer, to create the 3D print.
Think of it as a 3D printer with a very fancy glue gun.
PolyJet 3D Printing
PolyJet 3D printing is a technology that works on the principle of depositing layers of photosensitive resin that is cured by UV light to create a 3D print. PolyJet 3D printers use a printhead that deposits tiny droplets of resin onto a build platform. The resin is then cured using UV light, layer by layer, to create a 3D print.
Think of it as a 3D printer with a bunch of UV lights and a bunch of dental-crown-level-resin.
Comparison of PolyJet and FDM 3D Printing
Now that we have a basic understanding of how the two technologies work, let's compare PolyJet and FDM 3D printing.
Resolution
PolyJet 3D printing has a higher resolution compared to FDM 3D printing. PolyJet can create 3D prints with a resolution of up to 16 microns, while FDM can only create prints with a resolution of up to 200 microns. This is due to the fact that PolyJet uses droplets of resin that are smaller than the extruded layers of thermoplastic used by FDM.
Winner: PolyJet
Material
One of the biggest advantages of FDM 3D printing is the availability of materials. FDM 3D printers can use a wide range of thermoplastic filaments such as ABS, PLA, PETG, Nylon, TPU, and so on. PolyJet 3D printing, on the other hand, is limited to a few types of resins.
Winner: FDM
Strength
FDM 3D printing is generally stronger than PolyJet printing due to the use of thermoplastics. However, this is dependent on the type of material used for the 3D print.
Winner: FDM
Speed
FDM 3D printing is generally faster than PolyJet printing due to the larger layer heights used by FDM printers. PolyJet printing takes longer due to the time taken for the resin to cure during the printing process.
Winner: FDM
Cost
PolyJet 3D printing is generally more expensive than FDM 3D printing, both in terms of the printers and the materials. PolyJet printers are generally more expensive compared to FDM printers, and the resins used in PolyJet printing are also more expensive.
Winner: FDM
Conclusion
PolyJet and FDM 3D printing technologies have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The best technology for you depends on your specific requirements. If you require high-resolution printing and are not concerned with cost, PolyJet is the way to go. If you require strength, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, then FDM is the better choice.
With that being said, both PolyJet and FDM 3D printing technologies are great and have contributed to the advancement of 3D printing technology as a whole.