Author: Adrian Collins

In 3D printing, successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create an object. These objects can be of almost any shape or geometry and are produced from a 3D model or other electronic data source. There are two main types of 3D printers: FFM (fused filament manufacturing) and SLA (stereo lithography). FFM printers work by melting a plastic filament in a moving print head to form the model. SLA printers use an ultraviolet (UV) laser to solidify a resin, focusing the laser to form the solid model. FFM printers are generally cheaper, simpler and easier to use. Whichever type of printer you choose, pay attention to the type of material it can use to print. The filament material used by FFM printers is available in several different materials, such as PLA (a brittle, biodegradable material), ABS (the same plastic used in Lego blocks), nylon, TPE (a soft, rubberlike material) and HDPE light, tough polystyrene). Many of these materials, particularly PLA and ABS, are available in a huge range of colors. SLA printers have fewer options than their FFM counterparts, but some printers can use resins that produce models ranging from very rigid to flexible and rubbery. The best printers will allow you to determine which way you want to go with this, producing prints quickly or more slowly but at higher quality. Here we take a look at the Top 10...