FDM vs. resin printing – all you need to know

3D printing has revolutionized the way we create miniatures and terrain for tabletop wargaming. With the ability to print your own models at home, the possibilities are endless. In this blog post, we will be taking a closer look at the two most popular types of 3D printers used in the wargaming community: FDM and resin printers. We will discuss the advantages and limitations of each type of printer, as well as the types of models that are best suited to each. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of 3D printing, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and choose the right printer for your needs.

The biggest differences between FDM and resin printing are:

1. Print Quality: Resin printers typically produce higher quality prints with fine details and high resolution, while FDM printers are known for producing prints with lower resolution and less detail.
2. Print Speed: FDM printers are generally faster than resin printers, as they use a filament that is melted and extruded onto the build plate. Resin printers, on the other hand, cure liquid resin layer by layer, which takes longer.
3. Materials: FDM printers use filaments made of thermoplastics such as ABS, PLA, and TPU, while resin printers use liquid photopolymer resins.
4. Post-Processing: FDM prints typically require cleaning, sanding, and painting to achieve a smooth finish, while resin prints have a better surface quality and require less post-processing.
5. Cost: Resin printers are generally more expensive than FDM printers, and the resins used in resin printing are also more expensive than filaments used in FDM printing.
6. Size and Build Volume: FDM printers generally have larger build volumes and can print larger models, while resin printers are typically smaller and have smaller build volumes.
7. Safety: Resin printing requires precautions for handling and using UV light during the printing process, FDM printing is considered safer as it uses lower temperature and don't emit UV light.
8. Detail and complexity: Resin printing is better suited for printing small, detailed, and complex models while FDM printing is better suited for larger and simpler models.

These are some of the main differences between FDM and resin printing, but it's important to keep in mind that there are many variations in terms of quality, features, and price among different models of printers.

What is resin printing? 

Resin 3D printing, also known as SLA (stereolithography) printing, uses UV-curable liquid resin to create highly detailed and accurate models. It is well suited for miniature tabletop games because it can create intricate details and smooth surfaces.

Resin printing typically requires post-processing, such as cleaning and curing, to remove excess resin and harden the parts completely. Resin printing can be more expensive than other forms of 3D printing because of the cost of the resin and the need for specialized equipment like UV curing chamber. Safety precautions should be taken when working with resin as it can be toxic and harmful if ingested or inhaled. It is important to use a resin specifically formulated for 3D printing.

The cost of the printer and its maintenance also need to be considered. Some popular resin 3D printers for miniature tabletop games include the Anycubic Photon and the Elegoo Mars.

How does the resin printing process work?

The resin 3D printing process, also known as SLA (stereolithography) printing, works by using a UV laser to cure and harden liquid resin. The process begins by filling a build tray with liquid resin. The build tray is then placed into the printer, which is equipped with a UV laser and a moving platform.

The printer uses the UV laser to cure a thin layer of the resin, typically 0.05-0.1mm in thickness, by selectively exposing specific areas of the resin to UV light. The moving platform then drops down by the thickness of one layer and the process is repeated. This process continues until the entire model has been built up layer by layer.

Once the model has been printed, it is removed from the build tray and cleaned to remove any uncured resin. The model is then placed in a UV curing chamber to complete the curing process. After curing, the model is then ready for use or further post-processing, such as sanding or painting. Find the best printers on the market in our resin-printer ranking!

What is fdm 3D-printing?

‍

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is a type of 3D printing technology that uses a filament made of thermoplastic material, which is melted and extruded through a small nozzle to build up an object layer by layer. The filament is fed into the extruder, which melts it and deposits it in precise locations. The print bed moves according to the design and the extruder moves along the X, Y and Z axis to build the object.

FDM 3D printing is a relatively low-cost and accessible way to create 3D objects, making it popular for hobbyists, students, and small businesses. It is also widely used for prototyping and functional parts because of its low cost and ease of use. However, FDM 3D printed parts tend to have visible layer lines and may not be as precise or smooth as SLA parts.

FDM 3D printing is suitable for printing large objects and parts that don't require high precision. It's also good for printing functional parts that need to be strong and durable, and for printing objects with a high degree of overhang. Find the best FDM-printers in our FDM-printer ranking!

So - what’s better? Resin or FDM-printing?

What works better for small scale miniatures?

Short answer: Resin printer is a MUST!

Resin printing is generally considered to be better suited for printing small and detailed miniatures, as the resolution of the prints is typically higher than FDM printing. Resin printing also produces smoother and more detailed prints, and is capable of reproducing very fine details and complex geometries.

Whats better for printing big pieces like terrain?

Short answer: Roll with a FDM-printer!

Both resin and FDM printing can be suitable for printing big terrain pieces for wargaming – however most build plates of affordable resin printers are not big enough for bigger prints, meaning the printable object needs to be seperated into several chunks that are small enough to fit a resin printer. FDM printing can also produce detailed prints, but the surface finish may not be as smooth as resin. FDM printing is generally less expensive, but it may require more post-processing to achieve a smooth surface finish. Another big upside of using FDM-printers for terrain pieces is the speed, as resin printers take longer for the same volume of material because they are producing higher detailed surfaces and take time hardening each layer of resin.