FDM vs SLA — which 3D printing technology is right for your part?
FDM and SLA are the two most common 3D printing technologies. FDM melts thermoplastic filament layer by layer — it is fast, affordable, and available in tough engineering materials. SLA cures liquid resin with a UV laser — it delivers the best surface finish and tightest tolerances in our catalog. The right choice depends on what matters most for your part: cost, surface quality, mechanical properties, or build size.
Specifications
Head-to-head comparison
| Spec | FDM | SLA |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerances | ±0.5mm | ±0.2mm |
| Layer height | 0.1-0.3mm | 0.025-0.1mm |
| Min wall thickness | 1.2mm | 0.8mm |
| Max build size | 360 x 360 x 360mm | 335 x 200 x 300mm |
| Lead time | From 1 business day | From 2 business days |
| Materials | PLA, PETG, TPU, ASA, PC CF | Standard Resin, Grey Pro Resin, Durable Resin, Tough 2K, Tough 1500, Rigid 4K, Rigid 10K, High Temp, Flexible, Elastic, Castable |
| Best for | Jigs & fixtures, Functional prototypes, Concept models, Large-format parts, Cost-sensitive runs | Visual prototypes, Medical models, Casting patterns, High-detail parts, Presentation models |
Our recommendation
Choose FDM when cost and speed matter most, or when you need tough engineering thermoplastics (PETG, ASA, PC CF) at larger build volumes. Choose SLA when surface finish, dimensional accuracy, or fine detail resolution is the priority — visual prototypes, snap-fit validation, and presentation models.
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