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If you are new to the world of physical printing, you may wonder what is resin 3D printing. Some of the best printers, after all, are 3D printers that use resin instead of melted plastic filament to create objects. The resin is formulated to harden when exposed to air and light, and the object is built up layer by layer. So how do the best 3D printers work, what exactly is resin printing, and what are some advantages to this printing method? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Before learning what 3D printer resin is made of, it is helpful to understand how 3D printers work. These appliances create 3D models out of raw materials if you are wondering what 3D printers are used for. The models are built layer by layer, even if you are just learning about DLP printing. There are plenty of materials out there to choose from, even if you just learned the definition of an LCD printer.
Insider Tip
The printing process is different for resin and filament, so prepare for a learning curve if this is your first time working with resin.
There are many 3D printer models out there. Many of the consumer-grade printers available for purchase use filament, which is a material that melts when heated and then reforms again once cooled. Resin, however, is different from the filament. Liquid resin ships, as indicated, in liquid form before it is used to build a 3D object. It hardens when exposed to air.
Resin is popular for a reason or for several reasons. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a resin-based printer for your next 3D printing task.
SLA, DLP, and other resin printers use high-powered lasers to create fine details in the finished 3D object. This translates to ultra-precise and high-quality print jobs. When comparing the detailed work within different types of printers, it becomes clear that resin-based models excel when compared to filament-based printers. It is worth noting, however, that filament-based printers make it easier to add some detailed work after the fact.
Generally speaking, resin printers are faster than filament printers due to the nature of each design. Filament printers, by their very design, go slow as they build prints layer by layer. Some resin printers can create entire layers at one time, thanks to the inclusion of high-powered lasers.
STAT: Stereolithography (SLA) is the oldest form of 3D printing. It works by exposing a layer of photosensitive liquid resin to a UV-laser beam; the resin then hardens in the desired pattern, and the object is built layer by layer until it is complete. (source)
Final prints made by resin printers are durable and can even be left outside for moderate periods of time with little or no risk of damage.
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