3D printing

Question 1

Stereolithographic printing (SLA)

Answer 1

Curing of a photosensitive material which is a photopolymer - resin.
Curing is carried out by UV/laser radiation

Fast, high level of accuracy and resolution and withstands mechanical forces

Expensive, resin is cytotoxic, API decomposition

Question 2

Powder based 3d printing (PB)

Answer 2

Powder is thinly distributed into a uniform layer using a powder bed. The material is joined by using a liquid binder solvent.

Has poor mechanical resistance, high frailty, nozzle clogging

Question 3

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

Answer 3

Similar to powder based but used laser beam radiation to liquify powder and fuses the powder layers together

Question 4

Fused deposition modelling (FDM)

Answer 4

Based on extrusion of molten thermoplastic material, deposited through a nozzle and solidifies in under a second.

Question 5

Semi solid extrusion (EXT)

Answer 5

Uses a syringe extruder
Polymer is mixed with suitable solvent to create a semi-solid
Drying step causes product to shrink or deform as water or solvent evaporates