01763 249760  office@prototypeprojects.com

Request a Quote
Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects
  • CNC Machining
    • CNC Turning
    • CNC Milling
    • CNC Materials
    • CNC Finishing
    • Service Levels
  • 3D Printing
    • SLS – Selective Laser Sintering
    • SLA – Stereolithography
    • Projection Micro Stereolithography (PµSL)
    • Polyjet 3D Printing
    • DLP – Digital Light Projection
    • SLS Dyeing
    • 3D Printing Materials
    • 3D Printing Finishing
    • Service Levels
  • Vacuum Casting
  • Model Making
  • Expertise
    • Low Volume Manufacturing
    • Rapid Prototyping
    • Laser Cutting
    • Inspection
  • Downloads
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Guides and whitepapers
    • Policies, forms and certificates
    • Process datasheets
    • Prototype materials datasheets
  • About
    • Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our values
    • Payment methods
    • Work with us
    • Privacy statement
    • News & Articles
    • Case Studies
    • Plant list
  • Contact
  1. Home
  2. 3D Printing
  3. 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing. What’s the difference?

3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing. What's the difference?

Use of the term 3D Printing by some manufacturers and media is increasingly causing unwanted confusion in the professional world of what was once simply called “Rapid Prototyping and Additive Manufacturing”.

Some manufacturers have started to call the machines they manufacture “3D Printers” which under the old rules were just called Rapid Prototype machines.

The effect is to understate the importance of some very specialized machines (SLA, SLS or LS), which have been producing very high quality prototype parts, in a wide range of materials, for decades.

As 3D Printing continues to cross the threshold from the commercial arena into the consumer space, the term “3D Printing” itself should be used carefully.

In an article about what it calls the growing “frenzy” of consumer interest in 3D Printing during 2013, Forbes Magazine recently cautioned about losing sight of the similar levels of growth and applications in industrial 3D Printing both for prototyping and final part manufacturing.

The “frenzy” to which Forbes was referring includes an announcement from 3D Systems that it is now offering an entry-level 3D printer in the Cube 3, a new desktop printer that will retail for less than $1,000 to consumers wanting to do their own 3D design and printing at home.

Separately, Adobe announced in January 2014 that its Adobe Creative Cloud subscribers can now 3D print directly from Photoshop. According to Adobe, “by simply clicking ‘Print’ in Photoshop CC, creatives can bring 3D designs to the physical world.”

A further announcement from Microsoft states that the software giant is bringing native 3D Printing support to Windows 8.1 meaning that it has the potential to be available about 100 million people.

At Prototype Projects we’re following these developments closely as the lines between the consumer, and increasingly ‘prosumer’, 3D Printing technologies and the industrial applications associated with commercial product development continue to blur.

That’s why, as an alternative term, “Additive Manufacturing” is perhaps a more helpful and accurate way of describing the range of 3D Printing technologies used in the commercial sector.

Whether at the early stages of the product development process or later in final manufacture of components, the ‘manufacturing’ of 3D parts, quickly, cheaply and with a range of properties that can be tested and evaluated is not something that the consumer 3D printers can deliver.

It is these critical properties that give the industrial and commercial additive manufacturing/3D Printing technologies their strong advantage over the consumer/prosumer 3D Printing technologies:

  • Speed
  • Finish quality
  • Quantity
  • Colours
  • Materials
  • Properties
  • Size
  • Complexity
  • Cost

The additive manufacturing/3D Printing technologies offered by Prototype Projects, and which can deliver parts with any required variant of the above properties are:

Stereolithography (SLA)

A cost-effective and fast additive manufacturing/3D printing process for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of parts with a good quality surface finish and a range of tolerances and resilience properties:

  • Speed: fast turnaround depending on size and detail requirements
  • Cost: one of the cheapest prototyping processes, allowing for one-off parts
  • Finish: wide range of available materials offering a variety of properties and finishes

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

An additive manufacturing/3D printing process for rapid prototyping and production of 3D parts with complex shapes and geometries:

  • Speed: fast turnaround depending on size and detail requirements
  • High accuracy: parts can closely mimic the properties of finished parts
  • Complexity: highly complex shapes can be achieved

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)

An additive manufacturing/3D printing process for rapid prototyping and production of 3D parts for testing strength, heat resistance, UV stability and water resistance:

  • Speed: ideal for rapid prototyping of polycarbonate and ABS parts
  • Low cost: ideal for entry level parts
  • Testing: can be used for functional testing

Please contact Prototype Projects for service, quotes and advice on any prototyping requirement on 01763 249760.

Recent Popular
Projection Micro Stereolithography

What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ ...

23 January 2023 Comments Off on What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ Stereolithography?
3D Printing

The beginner’s guide to 3D printing

19 January 2023 Comments Off on The beginner’s guide to 3D printing
Star of the Month - Prototype Projects

Star of the Month

6 January 2023 Comments Off on Star of the Month
reflections on 2022

Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle

14 December 2022 Comments Off on Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle
Turner's Prize of Excellence

Turner’s Prize of Excellence 2022

13 December 2022 Comments Off on Turner’s Prize of Excellence 2022
Prototyping medical devices for patient contact

Prototyping medical devices for patient contact

22 September 2021 0
silicone tooling

LUMA-iD develops Buddy with silicone tooling

21 July 2022 0
Applications and design tips for SLS: a guide

Applications and design tips for SLS: a ...

27 November 2019 0
Projection Micro Stereolithography

What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ ...

23 January 2023 Comments Off on What do we mean by ‘Precision’ ‘Micro’ Stereolithography?
reflections on 2022

Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle

14 December 2022 Comments Off on Reflections on 2022 from Justin Pringle
Tags: 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, FDM, laser sintering, SLA

Comments are closed

Next Day Dispatch

Delivering Overnight Printing

Email: office@prototypeprojects.com
Tel: 01763 249760

Prototype Projects Ltd
Units 1&2, Greenfield
Royston,
Herts SG8 5HN

If you have questions about any aspect of our service, please contact us.


    UKAS
    Made In Britain - Prototype Projects
    Royston Business Awards - Prototype Projects
    Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects

    Sign up to our Company and Industry newsletter

    Sign up here
    Specialist in the manufacture of prototypes - Prototype Projects

    Prototype Projects, established in 1980, is a specialist in the manufacture of prototypes. The company is experienced in 3D Printing, CNC Machining, Rapid Prototyping, Model Making and Additive Manufacturing. The company is located in Royston, Hertfordshire.

    Trustpilot - Prototype Projects

    About | Our team | Our values | Customers | Work with us

    CNC Machining

    CNC Turning
    CNC Milling
    CNC Materials
    CNC Finishing
    Service Levels

    3D Printing

    SLS
    SLA
    PµSL
    Polyjet
    Digital Light Projection
    3D Printing Materials
    3D Printing Finishing
    Service Levels

    Expertise

    Low Volume Manufacturing
    Rapid Prototyping
    Laser Cutting
    Inspection

    Contact us

    Prototype Projects Ltd
    Units 1 &2, Greenfield
    Royston
    Herts SG8 5HN

    office@prototypeprojects.com
    T: 01763 249760

    © 2022 - Prototype Projects | Terms | Privacy | Web Design Indigo Ross

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    However, you may visit Cookie Settingsto provide a controlled consent. Reject All
    ACCEPT ALL
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT