The debate on resin vs filament among enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals comes up more often, which is more preferable for the use of 3D printing. Is it resin or filament? It all varies with you and what you want to achieve. Do you favour detail and accuracy, power and practicality, or are you more budget-friendly?

In this guide, we will discuss resin and filament printing before delving into their strengths, weaknesses, and where they are used best. By the time you are through, you will be clear enough on what to use as technology in your projects.

Navigating the 3D Printing Dilemma

There are strong communities of resin and filament printers who can defend their choice. Resin printing excels at reproducing extremely fine details and smooth surfaces. FDM printing is popular for creating functional, durable parts and for its versatility in material choices, including engineering-grade thermoplastics. To choose between the two, you have to consider the print quality, materials, budget savings, and even the time you can spare in post-processing.

Understanding the Basics: How Each Technology Works

Before you choose from the two materials, knowing exactly what they are and where the differences lie can help you make a smarter choice based on your needs.

What Is Resin 3D Printing (SLA/DLP)?

Resin printing is sometimes called SLA or DLP, and involves a liquid photopolymer resin cured through layers with a UV light source. The process results in very fine details, smooth surfaces, and geometries that are accurate. Resin printing finds particular use in high-fidelity jobs like jewelry, miniatures, and prototypes.

What Is Filament 3D Printing (FDM)?

FDM or filament printing is based on the extrusion of thermoplastic with a heated nozzle, which decorates the object by adding thin layer upon layer. It is the most widely available variant of 3D printing and has the advantage of lower cost, increased build volume, and production of strong, useful objects.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Key Metrics

Here is a comprehensive comparison between resin and filament.

Print Quality and Detail

Resin printing is the victor here with a resolution of up to 25-50 microns, with smooth finishes perfectly suited to delicate models. Details and layer lines can usually be easily visible with Filament printing, but they can be smoothed and improved with methods such as sanding and smoothing.

Durability and Strength

Under normal use, filament prints are better and sturdier. ABS and PETG are materials perfect for functional parts. Prints made with resin are brittle, unless special tough resins are used.

Build Volume (Print Size)

While large-format FDM printers are very common and affordable, the availability of large-format resin printers is growing. For users requiring extremely large parts, FDM is generally more cost-effective. However, for applications demanding high detail on larger models, large-format resin printers are now a viable option.

Printing Speed

Speed comparisons are not absolute. Print time is primarily determined by the height of the model and the time per layer. For a single, tall part, FDM may be faster. However, for a build plate filled with multiple small, detailed parts, resin printers (LCD/DLP) are often far more efficient as they cure entire layers simultaneously. The resin prints, however, take more time to cure and wash.

Material Variety and Characteristics

Filament presents a lot of options: PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, nylon, and others. The resin material ecosystem is highly diverse. It's crucial to understand that standard resins are brittle, making them unsuitable for functional parts under stress. However, specialized tough, durable, and flexible resins are available that offer mechanical properties comparable to some thermoplastics used in FDM.

Cost Analysis

Filament materials and printers are less expensive. Entry-level costs are lower with resin printers, but continuing costs include resins, cleaning alcohols, gloves, and curing equipment.

Ease of Use & Learning Curve

The filament printing is less difficult to learn and sustain. The preparation, safety, and post-processing associated with resin are a bit more expert-friendly.

Safety & Environment

Filament printing generates fewer toxic products but can give off fumes. Toxic uncured resin, odours necessitate wearing gloves, masks, and ventilation during resin printing.

Post-processing

Filament prints often require sanding, removal of support, and sometimes smoothing. The entire process of resin prints requires alcohol washing, UV fixation, and a supportive clean-up.

Applications: When to Choose Which

The most important thing is your needs. Knowing which applications they are suitable for will help you make better choices.

Choose Resin (SLA/DLP) For:

  • Jewelry models require high accuracy.

  • Miniatures, figurines, and collectibles.

  • High-detail prototypes with smooth surfaces.

Choose Filament (FDM) For:

  • Functional mechanical parts and enclosures.

  • Large-scale models or furniture parts.

  • Cost-effective prototyping and rapid iteration.

The Evolving Landscape and Future Potential of Resin 3D Printing

Resin 3D printing has rapidly advanced from niche applications to a versatile technology, and its future holds even greater possibilities for innovation and industry growth.

Advancements in Resin Technology

In speed, precision, and material variety, significant advances in resin printing have taken place. Printers such as HeyGears Reflex RS show the potential of the resin to develop. It is a professional quality machine with 6K capable LCD calibration, digital motion algorithms, and automation performance such as auto-levelling or automatic resin refill.

It has a build volume of 222 x 122 x 228 mm, which has integrated industrial features with an approachable design, enabling creators to print high-quality and detailed parts at scale.

resin

Improving Resin Print Success and Workflow

Recent resin printers are addressing the old concerns as they can have functions such as force monitoring, autopilot resin heating, and peeling with vibrations. When used in combination with post-processing stations such as the Wash and Cure stations designed by HeyGears, the whole processing cycle is easier and healthier than ever.

Addressing Disadvantages & Future Outlook

The most significant disadvantages of resin, to handle, being brittle, and expensive to work with, are slowly being mitigated by more robust resin compounds, eco-resistant, water-washable products, and advanced curing systems. More powerful, robust, and safer resin printing in the future can provide even better results than filament, with many times higher details.

Final Thought for Resin Enthusiasts

When it comes to resin vs filament, it comes down to priorities. Resin cannot be beaten in terms of applications that require detail. Filament is good at making functional, durable, and mass-produced products in an affordable way.

To resin enthusiasts, a professional printer such as the HeyGears Reflex RS resin 3D printer can be a solid choice concerning creative possibilities, particularly in combination with special HeyGears resins.

However, in the end, resin vs filament does not have a winner, but rather the correct tool for your project. It is probable that the future of 3D printing would involve both remaining complementary to each other, providing infinite options to the makers

Related articles:

How to 3D Print from Thingiverse

How Does a 3D Printer Work Step by Step?

Resin vs Filament 3D Printer: Which One Should You Choose?

Different Types of 3D Printer Consumables: Resin vs FDM

 

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