Table 2.

Characteristics of 3D printer

	Mechanism of Action	Supports required; Cost	Accuracy/resolution	Application	Pros	Cons
SLA	Utilizes light to cause cross linking of chemical monomer and oligomers into polymers	Yes; Moderately priced	High/high	Trajectory guides Cutting jigs	Smooth finish Fast	Not user friendly Sensitive to long exposure to UV light Less resemblance to bone
SLS	Laser melts and fuses nylon-based powder to the desired object	No; Highly priced	High/average	Anatomy models Surgery guides Drilling simulation	Smooth finish Closest to bone-like feel	Brittle Expensive Prone to shrinkage Slow printing process
Multi-jet	Similar to SLA, based on photo polymerization	No; Highly priced	Both average	Colored anatomy models	Color options available	Expensive
FDM	Printer head extrudes heated filament which is laid over each other	Yes; Low priced	Moderate/low	Anatomy models Preoperative templating	Ease of use Affordable High tensile strength	Low detailing Materials deform at high temperature
DLP	Photo polymerization where light source is a digital light projector screen	Yes; Moderately priced	Both average	Cutting guides	Affordable	Object size limited to 10–15 cm