Cost and effectiveness of 3-dimensionally printed model using three different printing layer parameters and two resins.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

When 3-dimensional printing casts, the operator can change the type of resin and the printing layer thickness, reducing the fabrication time. However, how these parameters affect the accuracy of 3-dimensionally printed casts is unknown.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of 3-dimensionally printed casts by using a stereolithography (SLA) 3-dimensional printer (Forms2) with 3 different layer thickness (25, 50, and 100 μm) and 2 different resins (Gray and Cast) and by comparing the time to obtain each cast.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One master cast was scanned, and a single file was printed several times. The printed casts were then scanned by using a laboratory scanner. The standard tessellation language (STL) files provided by the laboratory scanner were superimposed and compared by using a software program (Geomagic Control; 3D Systems). The 2-way ANOVA test was used for the trueness evaluation, followed by the Tukey test to identify differences among the groups (α=.05).

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences in accuracy were found among the 3 different layers for either resin (P>.05). Printing time doubled as layer thickness decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that when printing casts, the fastest printing settings can be used without losing accuracy and that the laboratory digital workflow can be accelerated with selection of the resin and cast layer, as the type of resin and layer thickness did not influence the quality of the casts.