The Engineer's Guide to Additive Manufacturing
Whether you're new to additive or optimizing an existing part, these guides cut through the jargon — written by the people actually running the machines.
Understanding SLA
Stereolithography (SLA) is one of the oldest and most capable additive manufacturing processes available today, yet it is frequently mischaracterized — either oversold as a direct replacement for injection molding or dismissed as a prototyping-only technology. The truth sits in the middle. SLA and injection molding each have real strengths, and the right choice depends heavily on part geometry, material requirements, volume, and timeline. For complex geometries, low-to-medium volumes, and applications where tooling costs are difficult to justify, SLA can match or outperform injection molding in both cost and lead time. For high-volume, simple geometry, commodity material applications, injection molding typically wins on unit economics. Understanding where the crossover happens is what leads to better sourcing decisions. These resources are here to give you an honest, technical foundation in SLA — what it is, how it works, what it does well, and where its limitations are.
Stereolithography (SLA) 3D Printing Explained: Guide to Resin 3D Printers
A thorough technical overview of how SLA works — from the photopolymerization process and resin chemistry to printer mechanics and post-processing. A solid starting point for anyone evaluating SLA for prototyping or end-use production.
3D Printing Strong, Impact-Resistant Parts | Tough 1500 Resin V2 Explained
Material selection is one of the most critical decisions in any SLA project. This video covers Tough 1500 Resin V2 — a polypropylene-like material engineered for parts that need to absorb impact, flex under load, and hold up in demanding functional environments without fracturing.
Race to 1,000 Parts: 3D Printing vs. Injection Molding
At what volume does injection molding become more economical than SLA? This video puts both processes head to head in a real production scenario, examining cost, speed, and part quality at scale. An essential watch for anyone deciding between the two methods for a production run.
Understanding SLS
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a powder-bed additive process that sinters nylon and other polymer powders layer by layer using a laser — producing parts without support structures, with good isotropic mechanical properties, and at densities that rival injection molded nylon in many applications. Like any process, it has a defined window where it makes sense and a boundary where it does not. SLS tends to excel at complex geometries, functional assemblies, and low-to-mid volume production runs where tooling costs for injection molding are hard to justify. Where SLS typically falls short is in surface finish straight off the machine, color consistency, and unit economics at very high volumes where injection molding's per-part cost is unmatched. Understanding these trade-offs — not the marketing version of them — is what leads to smarter sourcing decisions. The resources below give you a grounded, technical look at what SLS actually is and how to evaluate it honestly.
SLS 3D Printing Explained
A clear, technical walkthrough of how Selective Laser Sintering works — covering the powder bed process, laser sintering mechanics, material options, support-free printing, and post-processing. A reliable foundation for engineers and buyers who need to understand SLS before specifying it for a program.
SLS Powders Explained
The powder is the material in SLS — and material choice drives everything from mechanical performance to surface finish to refresh rates. This video breaks down how SLS powders work, what differentiates them, and what engineers need to know when selecting a powder for a functional application.
SLS for Production 3D Printing | EOS Selective Laser Sintering
Moving SLS from prototyping into production requires a different mindset around process control, repeatability, and quality assurance. This video examines what production-grade SLS looks like in practice — how industrial systems handle scale, consistency, and the demands of real manufacturing environments.
Metal Myths Exposed
There is a lot of misinformation in the industry about what metal additive manufacturing — specifically Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF/DMLS) — can and cannot do. These videos break down the most common myths engineers and procurement teams encounter, from concerns about speed and repeatability to questions about density and material qualification. Watch these before making decisions about your metal AM program.
Metal Myths Exposed: Speed
Is metal additive manufacturing too slow for production? This video challenges the assumption that L-PBF can't compete on throughput, and shows where and why it outpaces traditional methods.
Metal Myths Exposed: Material Selection
A common barrier to adoption is the belief that metal AM is limited to a narrow set of materials. This video walks through the reality of what alloys are available and how material selection works in a qualified L-PBF process.
Metal Myths Exposed: Repeatability
Can metal AM produce consistent parts across a build plate, machine to machine, and run to run? This video addresses repeatability head-on with data-driven answers that matter for production programs.
Metal Myths Exposed: Measurement & Qualification
Qualifying a metal AM process for production requires rigorous measurement and validation. This video explains how qualification works, what to measure, and what standards the industry uses to certify parts.
Metal Myths Exposed: Porosity & Density
Porosity is one of the most cited concerns with metal additive manufacturing. This video separates fact from fiction, explaining how density is controlled, measured, and validated in a properly run L-PBF process.