# Introduction to 3D Printing
3D printing is a manufacturing process that allows you to create a physical object from a digital model. This enables you to produce complex yet functional shapes cheaply and without needing a detailed understanding of manufacturing. This digital-to-physical workflow is known as digital fabrication.
Two main methods are used for digital fabrication at the MSD and within the industry:
**Subtractive** and **Additive** processes.
**Subtractive** processes remove material from a solid block. An example is a CNC machine which uses a computer-guided drill to sculpt a model from a solid material.
3D Printing is an **Additive** process because it builds a model from the material. A very small computer-controlled nozzle is used to lay down plastic layer by layer.
### Advantages of 3D Printing
| | |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Complex Forms** | 3D Printing enables the fabrication of complex, intricate and detailed designs. Geometries benefit from the direct digital-to-physical workflow. |
| **Iteration & Customisation** | Take advantage of the digital fabrication workflow. Digital models can be rapidly manipulated and generated, used as quickly as they can be printed. This can also be used for mass customisation and adaptive designs. |
| **Functioning Models** | 3D printed models can be used as printed; they don't need further processing. This makes them useful as prototypes, functional products or as part of a fabrication process. |
| **Replicable Models** | As a computer-controlled process, the same model can be accurately produced to designed tolerances - models can be hot-swapped to present an array of options. |
| **Accessibility** | 3D printing outcomes are mostly determined before they even reach the printer; digital model-making instead of physical model-making. It requires less oversight compared model-making via hand or laser cutting as the machine is automated, making it an accessible process. |
## 3D Printing Options at FabLab
3D Printing is a large umbrella term describing additive manufacturing methods that work on adding material together into a solid object.
FabLab offers two options for 3D printing:
| **FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling)** |
| ----------------------------------------- |
| **SLA (Stereolithography) a.k.a 'Resin'** |
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="FDM " %}
### Outcome Example FDM vs Resin
### Pros & Cons
| Title | Title |
| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pros** | - Fastest option
- Cheapest option
- 4 Colours to choose from
|
| **Cons** | - Low resolution
- Layers evident
- Supports can be difficult to remove
|
| **Print Material** | PLA (Polylactic Acid) |
| **Build Area** | Bambu X1C: 256x256x256mm |
| **Supports Needed** | Yes |
| **Resolution** | Low level of detail |
| **Surface Finish** | Textured, layers evident |
| **Colour** | White, Black, Grey, Clear |
| **Strength** | Durable |
| **Cost** | $0.10 per gram |
| {% endtab %} | |
{% tab title="SLA (Resin)" %}
### Outcome Examples
### Printer Parameters
| Title | Title |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Pros** | - Wide variety of materials including clear + coloured resins, and engineering materials
- Smoothest surface finish - can print down to 0.025mm layer height in some resins.
- Able to print tight tolerance parts due to high resolution of printer
- Great for small, intricate parts or capturing surface detail.
|
| **Cons** | - Printing method requires support material
- Smaller print volume than other printers
- Resin is relatively expensive compared to other technologies
|
| **Print Material** | Resin |
| **Build Area** | 3+: 145 W x 145 D x 185 H (mm)
3BL: 335 x 200 x 300mm
|
| **Supports Needed** | Yes |
| **Resolution** | High level of detail and accuracy |
| **Surface Finish** | Smooth |
| **Colour** | Black, Cool Grey, White or Clear\* |
| **Strength** | Durable |
| **Cost** | $0.30 mL |
| {% endtab %} | |
| {% endtabs %} | |
**Once you have chosen the right printer for your job, you can use the Quick Start Guide to prepare and submit your file:**
{% content-ref url="fdm" %}
[fdm](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/the-fablab/3d-printing/fdm)
{% endcontent-ref %}
{% content-ref url="introduction-1" %}
[introduction-1](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/the-fablab/3d-printing/introduction-1)
{% endcontent-ref %}