Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing takes filament from a spool and feeds it through a heated extruder which follows Cartesian Coordinates in order build up 3D shapes one layer at a time. The 3D Printing process begins with a 3D file (.stl, .obj, or .3mf) which is sliced to build the 3D printer instructions on when to heat up, when to cool down, where to go to and when to go to it, etc. which is provided to the 3D printer that then 3D prints the desired object.

PLA or Polylactic Acid is a corn-based filament and is one of the easiest materials to 3D print with.

ASA or Acrylonitrile Styrene Acryalte is known for having high weather and UV resistance.

TPU or Thermoplastic Polyurethane has flexible properties which help with impact absorption.

PETG or Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol is very durable, and the 3D printed pieces you see on the Prusa fleet in The Library MakerSpace (Room 126, Bizzell Library) are made of this material.

What is Resin Printing?

Resin printing, or known as SLA/DLP (stereolithographic printing/digital light processing) printing, is a process of printing an item by dipping the print plate into a vat of liquid resin that is then hardened layer by layer using light. This version of 3D printing is good for prototyping as well as getting fine detail in a small area.

UV Resin is the most basic type of resin for SLA. It can come in a multitude of colours and opacity. It is printed by dipping into a vat of liquid resin and each layer is cured with UV light. Once printed, it is washed and then cured fully again.