Basis for classification of 3D printing

printing technologies can be broadly classified based on various criteria such that each one of them highlights unique aspects of the processes. Below are the following common bases for the classification of 3D printing:

Process/Technology **: In this criterion, classification is based on the underlying technology or process.

Material type: a classification of 3D printing processes based on the type of materials they use.

Material State: a classification of the 3D printing process based on material state.

Layering Approach: a classification of 3D printing based on the addition of layers.

Resolution/Detail Level: a classification of 3D printing based on resolution or detail level

Application Area: a classification of 3D printing based on primary application Areas.

Material Processing: It's classified based on the way the material is processed.

Industrial/Consumer: It's classified based on their typical usage in industrial, desktop or consumer usage.

Biocompatibility: classification of 3d printers based on their compatibility for producing biocompatible 3d printers.

Post Processing Requirements: classification based on their post processing requirements.

Production Volume: a classification based on production volume suited to different scales of production

Print speed: Printers can be classified based on their print speeds into various categories, ranging from slower desktop printers to faster industrial and production-grade machines. Keep in mind that print speed is influenced by factors like layer height, complexity of the object, and chosen print settings. Here's a classification based on print speeds.

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON PROCESS:

FDM- FUSED DEPOSITION MODELLING

SLA- STEREOLITHOGRAPHY

DLP- DIGITAL LIGHT PROCESSING

SLS- SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING

SLM- SELECTIVE LASER MELTING

EBM- ELECTRON BEAM MELTING

BINDER JETTING

MATERIAL JETTING

LOM- LAMINATED OBJECT MANUFACTURING

DED- DIRECTED ENERGY DEPOSITION

CLIP- CONTINUOS LIQUID INTERFACE PRODUCTION

INKJET 3D PRINTING

POWER BED

HYBRID PROCESSES

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MATERIAL TYPE

PLASTICS AND POLYMERS

METALS

COMPOSITES

CERAMICS AND GLASSES

BIOLOGICAL AND FOOD MATERIALS

OTHER MATERIALS

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MATERIAL STATE

LIQUID RESION

POWDER

THERMOPLASTIC FILAMENT

LIQUID/GEL INK

SOLID SHEETS/LAYERS

WIRE/RODS

OTHER STATES

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON LAYERING APPROACH

ADDITIVE APPROACH

SUBTRACTIVE APPROACH

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON RESOLUTION

HIGH RESOLUTION

MODERATE RESOLUTION

LOW RESOLUTION

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON APPLICATION AREA

PROTOTYPING & MANUFACTURING

AEROSPACE & AUTOMOTIVE

HEALTH CARE

ART & DESIGN

EDUCATION & RESEARCH

FOOD AND CULINARY APPLICATION

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON MATERIAL PROCESSING

MELTING & SOLIDIFYING

PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION

EXTRUSION

JETTING & CURING

POWDER BINDING

SHEET LAYERING

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON INDUSTRIAL/CONSUMER USAGE

INDUSTRIAL

CONSUMER

DESKTOP

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON POST-PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS

MINIMAL POST-PROCESSING

MODERATE POST-PROCESSING

SIGNIFICANT POST-PROCESSING

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON BIOCOMPATIBILITY

BIOCOMPATIBLE PROCESSES

POTENTIALLY BIOCOMPATIBLE PROCESSES

LESS BIOCOMPATIBLE PROCESS

CLASSIFICATION BASED ON PRINTSPEED

LOW TO MODERATE SPEED

MODERATE

MODERATE TO HIGH

HIGH SPEED

VERY HIGH SPEED

VARIABLE SPEEDS