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The Ultimate 3D Printing Match Up: Laser Sintering vs. Fused Deposition Modeling

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Laser Sintering (LS) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) are like the Peyton Manning and Cam Newton of 3D printing—Two of the best quarterbacks in the league, one about ten years older than the other (LS was commercialized in around 1980 and FDM around 1990), and currently both at the top of their game. LS and FDM are often compared because they both deliver similar materials and engineering-grade thermoplastics which give them the ability to serve functional and production manufacturing applications. Even though LS and FDM are equally capable of producing strong, durable parts, their divergent delivery mechanisms make certain geometries and applications better suited for one or the other. Learning the advantages and differences between technologies will help lead you to the best process for your project. Here we compare each technology when it comes to engineering challenges, applications and geometries:

Internal Features
You’ll see positive results on internal cavities with both FDM and LS when the features are accessible to a finisher removing supports. FDM offers break-away support which is manually removed by hand and soluble support which dissolves in a water-based solution (ideal for internal cavities). LS parts use the unsintered powder as support during the process, which can be easily brushed away post-build. For difficult to access internal features, you’ll find more success using LS regardless of material choice because excess powder can be easily brushed or blown away from cavities. Tough-to-reach internal features can be more difficult with FDM, especially with non-soluble support materials that need to be manually removed.
Large Parts
One of the largest build platforms in the industry is the Fortus 900mc (FDM technology) which measures 36”x24”x36”. The largest LS platform is the EOS P700 series at 24”x14”x20”, but building large parts can be problematic, depending on the geometry. FDM manufactures flat areas with ease while flat parts built with LS would likely warp if the walls are too thin. LS is often better suited for curved large parts with rounded features. However LS can successfully produce a large flat part if ribbing is included to reinforce the area.


Temperature Requirements
Both technologies offer materials specifically formulated for withstanding high temperatures, but FDM’s ULTEM materials hold the title for highest heat deflection temperature with ULTEM 9085 at HDT 153° C @ and ULTEM 1010 at HDT 213° C. ULTEM is also UL94 V-0 rated and passes the FAR. 25.853 60-second vertical burn test. However LS’s high-temp materials aren’t far off with Nylon 12 PA at HDT 86° C


Mechanical Performance
Laser Sintering has a clear advantage in isotropic mechanical properties with near consistency in X, Y, and Z. LS is also better positioned in terms of flexibility with Flex TPE material (8 MPa Tensile Modulus and 110% Elongation at Break) and a family of Nylons with better elongation properties than any other FDM materials. And when it comes to impact strength, both technologies are far above the other plastics processes in the field, but LS has select materials with slightly higher impact strength than most FDM materials (LS Nylon 12 PA is 4.12ft-lb/in and FDM PC-ABS is 3.7 ft-lb/in).

The Objective3D Direct Manufacturing Solution for you
Objective3D Direct Manufacturing has the expertise and technology range to deliver upon any of your additive manufacturing projects. However, if your project requires larger quantities of small parts – fast, Laser Sintering is the best technological solution for you. Per-part pricing is reduced as quantities increase, but there are more advantages to using Laser Sintering for small prototypes than price alone. To find out more read Delivering High Quantities of Prototypes Fast

Talk to us and find out how we can help you determine the best possible material for your project.


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Objective3D Direct Manufacturing is certified ISO 9001:2008 compliant and is powered by Stratasys Direct Manufacturing with 16 commercial grade machines providing the widest range of 3D printing technologies and materials to enable a broad range of specialist solutions. With more than 1500 orders received and over 100,000 parts produced annually, Objective3D Direct Manufacturing is helping companies in diverse industries create extraordinary new products at every phase of the production process. For more details visit www.direct3dprinting.com.au





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