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Additive manufacturing · Lesson 2: Processes and materials

FDM, SLA, SLS and SLM, open or closed machines, PLA, ABS and resins.

Lesson goal

Choose the process and material pair that fits how the part will be used: visual prototype, functional part or metal part.

▶

2 videos

✎

1 exercise

Beginner

↳

Prerequisite: Lesson 1

1. Watch the videos

Dassault Systèmes videos hosted on MySolidWorks: they open in a new tab and a free account is enough. Watch them in order.

Machine TypesVideo 1▶Machine TypesFDM and SLA, then advanced SLS and SLM processes, open or closed machines.↗ MaterialsVideo 2▶MaterialsPLA and ABS for FDM, differences between resins for SLA printers.↗

2. Key takeaways

1

FDM deposits melted filament: low cost, well suited to prototypes and simple tooling.

2

SLA cures a resin: very good surface finish and fine detail.

3

SLS (plastic powder) and SLM (metal powder) target functional parts, with more expensive machines.

4

An open machine accepts materials from several suppliers; a closed machine requires the manufacturer's own.

Tip

For each part, write down the expected use (appearance, strength, temperature) before choosing the material: that criterion decides between PLA, ABS and resin.

3. Do the exercise

For three parts from your projects (a cover, a bracket, a drilling jig):

  • choose a process for each one
  • choose a material and justify it in one sentence
  • state which one would be better made by conventional machining
✓To check: Each choice is based on a use criterion (appearance, strength, accuracy) and not only on the machine available.

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