FDM vs SLA vs SLS vs DMLS vs Bioprinting
3D Printing Technology Comparison
Comparison of 5 3D printing technologies — resolution, materials, speed, cost, and best applications.
FDMSLASLSDMLSBioprinting
Full Specification Comparison
| Specification | FDM | SLA | SLS | DMLS | Bioprinting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 100-300 μm | 25-100 μm | 80-120 μm | 40-100 μm | 10-100 μm |
| Materials | Thermoplastics | Resins | Nylon, TPU | Titanium, steel, Al | Bio-inks, cells |
| Speed | Moderate | Slow | Moderate | Slow | Very slow |
| Machine Cost | $200-5K | $300-10K | $10-100K | $100-500K | $50-300K |
| Part Strength | Moderate | Low (brittle) | High | Very high | N/A (biological) |
| Best For | Prototyping | Dental, jewelry | Functional parts | Aerospace, medical | Tissue, drug testing |
| Market Share | 70% | 10% | 8% | 3% | 2% |
Expert Verdict
FDM is the most accessible for prototyping; SLA offers the highest resolution; SLS enables complex geometries without supports; DMLS produces metal parts for aerospace; bioprinting enables tissue engineering.
Subject Breakdown
FDM
1 Category Wins
- ★ Market Share: 70%
SLA
1 Category Wins
- ★ Resolution: 25-100 μm
SLS
0 Category Wins
DMLS
1 Category Wins
- ★ Part Strength: Very high
Bioprinting
0 Category Wins