Method: The part is fabbricated using a method that involves the use of a 3D printer, employing various additive techniques. These include laser sintering, melting, and direct material deposition, as well as the polymerization of liquid resins. The choice of technology and raw material depends on the specific needs of the component to be produced.

Materials: plastic or metal.

Tolerances: to be confirmed based on 3D printing technology and the geometry of the part to be produced. Typically not less than +/- 0.1mm per 100mm.

Applications: functional parts, aesthetic parts. There usually are thermal and functional constraints related to the type of resin/powder used for production.

Available technologies:

• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): direct deposition of molten plastic material, layer by layer. Various types of thermoplastics available (ABS, PLA, Ultem, …).
• Stereolithography (SLA): polymerization of a liquid epoxy resin through a laser beam. Various types of resins available (transparent resin, more or less structural opaque resins)
• Sintering (SLS): layering of the part through the laser sintering of successive layers of a polyamide 12 powder natural (PA12) or reinforced with glass fiber for greater rigidity (PA12+GF)
• HP Multi-Jet Fusion: similar to SLS technology, developed by HP using proprietary resins (HP PA12 and HP PA12+GF). An inkjet is sprayed simultaneously with the laser sintering of each layer, giving the finished part better aesthetic performance as well as good hygroscopic properties.
• Direct Melting Laser Sintering (DMLS): similar to SLS technology but applied to metal powders.