ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D printing, matched to your part.

Choose SLA, SLS, MJF, FDM or SLM from geometry, material behavior, surface expectations, functional intent and production stage.

PROCESS SELECTION

Choose the build route

Five additive routes address different material, detail, support-removal and finishing requirements. Compare resin, polymer powder-bed, filament and metal powder-bed processes against the finished part you need.

SLA

Best for
Fine-detail and surface-critical resin prototypes.

Typical parts
Visual models, form/fit housings and appearance prototypes.

REVIEW FOCUS

SLS

Best for
Complex nylon geometry without dedicated support structures.

Typical parts
Housings, clips, ducts and functional prototypes.

REVIEW FOCUS

MJF

Best for
Functional polymer parts with repeat-batch intent.

Typical parts
Nylon housings, fixtures and functional components.

REVIEW FOCUS

FDM

Best for
Fast design iteration with thermoplastic prototypes.

Typical parts
Jigs, fixtures and larger form/fit models.

REVIEW FOCUS

SLM

Best for
Complex metal geometry that is difficult to make conventionally.

Typical parts
Lightweight structures and internal-geometry components.

REVIEW FOCUS

DESIGN REVIEW

Design for the build

Review the model for wall transitions, enclosed spaces, escape paths, support contact, orientation-sensitive features and interfaces that must fit after finishing.

Walls and transitions

Avoid treating every thin or thick section the same; local geometry and material behavior govern the review.

Support or powder access

SLA, FDM and SLM support contact differs from polymer powder-bed removal and trapped-volume concerns.

Orientation

Layer direction, visible surfaces and critical interfaces should be identified before the build is planned.

Assembly

Threads, inserts, mating faces and post-build operations need an explicit handoff.

MATERIAL AND USE

Match material to intended use

A visual model, fit-check part and functional bridge component may require different process and material decisions even when the CAD is identical.

State whether the part is visual, fit-check or functional
Identify heat, chemical, load or flexibility priorities
Separate short-term evaluation from repeat-production intent

POST-PROCESSING

Plan the surface after the build

Support removal, cleaning, smoothing, dyeing, painting and assembly can change appearance, interfaces and inspection access.

Surface priority

Identify cosmetic faces and acceptable process texture.

Dimensional interfaces

Protect or rework mating faces only when the drawing and route call for it.

Color and coating

Define appearance references and compatibility before post-processing.

Assembly readiness

Confirm inserts, hardware and joining requirements after the build.

QUALITY EVIDENCE

Define inspection by intended use

Inspection should follow the function of the part: critical dimensions, fit, visible surfaces and post-processed interfaces rather than a generic additive checklist.

Mark critical dimensions and datums
Define fit or assembly checks
Agree visual evidence for customer-facing surfaces

APPLICATION EVIDENCE

See the manufacturing context

Debaolong manufacturing images show equipment, polymer geometries and complex structures. They support review, but do not replace the actual CAD.

Additive equipment

Production-cell context for build planning and process selection.

View factory context →

Polymer part families

Representative parts with different geometry and surface priorities.

Review polymer selection →

Complex structures

Open forms and lattice-like geometry requiring route-specific planning.

Review DFM workflow →

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

Questions to resolve before release

These are review prompts, not universal process promises. The actual drawing and requirement remain authoritative.

Which process should start the review?

Begin with part intent, material behavior and required surface; do not select only from appearance.

Can one process cover prototype and bridge use?

Sometimes, but production stage, repeatability and finishing expectations must be stated explicitly.

What should be included with CAD?

Quantity, material priorities, visible surfaces, critical dimensions, post-processing and assembly context.

ADDITIVE DECISION MAP

Compare five build routes

The process name is only the start. Geometry, support or powder access, surface intent and functional evidence determine the useful route.

Compare all four columns. On narrow screens, swipe across the table or focus it and use the arrow keys.

Route	Geometry review	Material / evidence	Post-build handoff
SLA	Support contact, thin detail and enclosed resin paths	Resin behavior and visible-surface reference	Support removal, cleaning and cosmetic review
SLS	Powder escape, wall transitions and nesting	Powder-bed polymer behavior and functional context	Depowdering, dye or finish and interface checks
MJF	Packing, powder access and repeat geometry	Powder-bed polymer choice and repeat-part evidence	Cleaning, color and dimensional interface review
FDM	Build direction, support access and layer-sensitive features	Thermoplastic choice and prototype or functional intent	Support removal, surface expectation and fit review
SLM	Support access, powder escape, orientation and interface stock	Aluminum, stainless steel or titanium base family with project-specific grade confirmation	Support removal, heat treatment, machining, surface and inspection review

FILE-TO-BUILD HANDOFF

Make open decisions visible

A useful additive brief identifies the part purpose and the surfaces, features and interfaces that cannot be treated as generic.

Build orientation priorities

Mark surfaces where layer direction, support contact or appearance matters.

Trapped volume and access

Identify enclosed spaces, powder escape paths and cleaning access.

Interfaces after finishing

Call out threads, inserts, mating faces and any secondary operation.

Evidence for release

Define dimensions, fit checks and visible-surface evidence for the intended use.

RELATED MANUFACTURING

Continue the engineering review

Move between the capability, material, knowledge and project-review paths without repeating the page you just read.

REVIEW PACKAGE

Prepare the review package

Geometry and support

Compare enclosed spaces, unsupported surfaces, feature scale and support removal before selecting a route.

Material and use

Connect the polymer, resin or metal grade to load, temperature, flexibility, appearance and the intended evaluation.

Post-process plan

Define support removal, sanding, coating, inserts, threads and any customer-facing surface before release.

Inspection evidence

Mark critical datums, mating features and visible zones; agree the fit and surface evidence needed for the intended use.

START WITH THE PART

Bring the drawing and decisions together.

Share CAD, quantity, material, finish and inspection requirements so the route can be reviewed against the actual part.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3D printing, matched to your part.

PROCESS SELECTION

Choose the build route

SLA

SLS

MJF

FDM

SLM

DESIGN REVIEW

Design for the build

Walls and transitions

Support or powder access

Orientation

Assembly

MATERIAL AND USE

Match material to intended use

POST-PROCESSING

Plan the surface after the build

Surface priority

Dimensional interfaces

Color and coating

Assembly readiness

QUALITY EVIDENCE

Define inspection by intended use

APPLICATION EVIDENCE

See the manufacturing context

Additive equipment

Polymer part families

Complex structures

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS

Questions to resolve before release

ADDITIVE DECISION MAP

Compare five build routes

FILE-TO-BUILD HANDOFF

Make open decisions visible

Build orientation priorities

Trapped volume and access

Interfaces after finishing

Evidence for release

RELATED MANUFACTURING

Continue the engineering review

Capabilities

Materials

Knowledge

Prepare the review package

Geometry and support

Material and use

Post-process plan

Inspection evidence

START WITH THE PART

Bring the drawing and decisions together.