Evaluating Benchtop Additive Manufacturing Processes Considering Latest Enhancements in Operational Factors

Abstract

With the evolution of additive manufacturing technologies, concerning their material processing techniques, range of material choices and deposition speed, 3D printers are extensively employed in academia and industry for a number of purposes. It is no longer uncommon to have a portable, desktop 3D printer and build specific designs in a matter of minutes or hours. The functionality, costs, materials and applications of desktop 3D printers differ. Among the several desktop 3D printers with a variety of characteristics, it might be challenging to choose which one is optimal for the intended applications and uses. In this study, a variety of commercially available thermoplastic and photopolymer resin desktop 3D printers are presented and compared for user selection. This article intends to provide end-users of desktop 3D printers with fundamental information and guidelines via a comparison of desktop 3D-printing technologies and their technical characteristics, enabling them to assess and select appropriate desktop 3D printers for a variety of applications.