Loading...
Publication
Head-to-Head Evaluation of FDM and SLA in Additive Manufacturing: Performance, Cost, and Environmental Perspectives
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.97 MB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
This paper conducts a comprehensive experimental comparison of two widely
used additive manufacturing (AM) processes, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and
Stereolithography (SLA), under standardized conditions using the same test geometries
and protocols. FDM parts were printed with both Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Acryloni trile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) filaments, while SLA used a general-purpose photopolymer
resin. Quantitative evaluations included surface roughness, dimensional accuracy, ten sile properties, production cost, and energy consumption. Additionally, environmental
considerations and process reliability were assessed by examining waste streams, recy clability, and failure rates. The results indicate that SLA achieves superior surface quality
(Ra ≈ 2 µm vs. 12–13 µm) and dimensional tolerances (±0.05 mm vs. ±0.15–0.20 mm),
along with higher tensile strength (up to 70 MPa). However, FDM provides notable ad vantages in cost (approximately 60% lower on a per-part basis), production speed, and
energy efficiency. Moreover, from an environmental perspective, FDM is more favorable
when using biodegradable PLA or recyclable ABS, whereas SLA resin waste is hazardous.
Overall, the study highlights that no single process is universally superior. FDM offers a
rapid, cost-effective solution for prototyping, while SLA excels in precision and surface
finish. By presenting a detailed, data-driven comparison, this work guides engineers,
product designers, and researchers in choosing the most suitable AM technology for their
specific needs.
Description
Keywords
additive manufacturing dimensional accuracy energy consumption environ mental impact fused deposition modeling production cost reliability stereolithography surface finish tensile strength usability
Citation
Abbasi, M., Váz, P., Silva, J., & Martins, P. (2025). Head-to-Head Evaluation of FDM and SLA in Additive Manufacturing: Performance, Cost, and Environmental Perspectives. Applied Sciences, 15(4), 2245. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042245