The technologies
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
Essentially robotic hot glue guns
Stereolithography (SLA)
Utilizes light instead of heat to make models. How? A high powered light source hardens a cross section of light-sensitive liquid plastic.
formlabs – Form 1
Makerbot – Replicator 2
A comparison between Makerbot’s Replicator 2 and the Form 1:
| MakerBot Replicator 2 | Formlabs Form 1 | |
| Technology | Fused Filament Fabrication (Heat) | Stereolithography (Light) |
| Build Size | 11.2? x 6.1? x 6? | 4.9? x 4.9? x 6.5? |
| Build Material | Polylactic Acid (PLA) Filament | Liquid Acrylate Photopolymer |
| Layer Thickness | 100 Microns | 25 Microns |
| Print Software | Included | Included |
| Cost | $2,199 | $2,299-2,699* |
| * Kickstarter pricing – retail pricing TBD |