Rapid prototyping is a fast and cost-effective method for creating prototypes for product development.

It helps for a multitude of uses like functional testing, tooling, moulds, visualization and as a proof of concept.  Please find below a brief comparison between different techniques in rapid prototyping used at think3D.

Technique/ Attribute	Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)	Stereolithography (SLA)	Digital Light Processing (DLP)	Laser Sintering (Plastic/ Metal)	3D Printing (Binder Jet)	Material Jetting	Vaccuum Casting
Sample Image
Process	Material heated to a semi-liquid state, and 3D model built up one strand at a time	UV Laser beam hits a thin layer of photopolymer resin design, and solidifies it by curing	Conventional light source like an arc lamp is applied to the entire surface of photopolymer resin in a single pass for curing	Powder layers spread on top of each other, and selectively sintered by a CO2 laser beam as per the CAD data	Layer by layer by depositing a liquid binder onto thin uniform layers of powder via roller mechanism and a feed piston	Build materials selectively jetted through multiple ink jet heads	Silicone moulds created by casting material around the master model is used to create copies
Subject	thermo plastics	Photo polymer resin	Photo polymer resin	Powder	Powder	Photopolymer liquids	Silocine
Medium	Heat	UV Laser	DLP Light Source	CO2 Laser Beam	Liquid Binder	UV Light	Vaccum chamber
Material Options	PLA, ABS, Nylon, Wood, HIPS, PMMA	Clear/ Castable/ Tough/ Flexible Resins	Castable/ Pigmented Resins	Nylon, Aluminium, Steel	Sandstone		Rubber, Plastics like ABS/ PP
Typical Layer Resolution	100 Microns	30 Microns	40 Microns	25 Microns	50 Microns	50 Microns	NA
Output Characteristics	Good Strength, lesser accuracy and needs post processing for good surface finish	Excellent Surface Finish High Accuracy Lesser Strength over time	Excellent Surface Finish Good Accuracy Lesser Strength over time Faster turnaround	High Strength Good Accuracy Slightly rough Surface High Complex shapes possibility	Textured surface Full colour Output Low Strength	Smooth Finish Multi Material Options High Accuracy	Good Accuracy Good Surface finish Good Strength
Cost	Very cheap	Very high cost	High cost	Costlier than FDM Very high Cost for Metals	High Cost	High cost	Economical
Typical Applications	-Mechanical Parts -Architectural Prototypes -Quick Proof of Concept	-High Precision parts for display -Castable parts for Jewelry & Dental	-High Precision parts for display -Castable parts for Jewelry & Dental	-Mechanical Prototypes -Complex parts & Accessories	-Architectural Models -Full Color Miniatures -Display Parts	-Multi material parts for functional prototypes with exact characteristics	-Low volume production run -High finesse requirements