µm (1,600 DPI). X–Y resolution is comparable to
that of laser printers. The particles (3D dots) are around 50 to 100 µm
(510 to 250 DPI) in diameter. For that printer resolution, specifying a
mesh resolution of 0.01–0.03 mm and a chord length ? 0.016 mm generate
an optimal STL output file for a given model input file. Specifying
higher resolution results in larger files without increase in print
quality.
Construction of a model with contemporary methods can take
anywhere from several hours to several days, depending on the method
used and the size and complexity of the model. Additive systems can
typically reduce this time to a few hours, although it varies widely
depending on the type of machine used and the size and number of models
being produced simultaneously.
Traditional techniques like injection
moulding can be less expensive for manufacturing polymer products in
high quantities, but additive manufacturing can be faster, more flexible
and less expensive when producing relatively small quantities of parts.
3D printers give designers and concept development teams the ability to
produce parts and concept models using a desktop size printer.
Seemingly
paradoxic, more complex objects can be cheaper for 3D printing
production than less complex objects.