Side-by-side summary.
FDM (Fused Deposition)
Molten thermoplastic extruded layer by layer. ABS, PC, nylon, Ultem, PEEK. Durable functional parts. Large build volumes (914×610×914 mm industrial). Visible layer lines.
SLA (Stereolithography)
UV laser cures photopolymer resin. Fine detail (0.1 mm features), smooth surface (Ra 2-5 µm). Limited to photopolymers — brittle, UV-sensitive. Typical build size <500 mm.
Feature-by-feature breakdown.
| Attribute | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | Engineering thermoplastics | Photopolymer resins |
| Typical tolerance | ±0.2-0.5 mm | ±0.05-0.1 mm |
| Surface finish (Ra) | 15-30 µm (layer lines) | 2-5 µm |
| Minimum feature size | 1.2 mm walls, 2 mm holes | 0.1 mm features, 0.5 mm holes |
| Max build size | 914×610×914 mm (industrial) | 500×500×500 mm (largest) |
| Max part durability | Production-grade (Ultem, PEEK) | Prototype only (brittle) |
| UV stability | Good for most | Yellows and degrades |
| Temperature service | Up to 260°C (PEEK) | 80-120°C typical |
| Speed per cm³ | Moderate | Slow (laser traces) |
| Typical cost per part | $30-500 | $30-500 |
| Lead time | 3-7 days | 2-4 days |
| Best use | Functional testing, production parts | Visual prototypes, master patterns |
When to choose each.
Choose FDM (Fused Deposition) when:
Choose SLA (Stereolithography) when:
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