SLA 3D printing cures the liquid resin layer by layer by irradiating it with a UV laser to form a shape. As it uses SLA-specific materials, the products may have lower mechanical properties than general plastics, but it is the most widely used method in the industry due to its various advantages such as high dimensional stability, high processing speed, low unit price, ease of post-processing, and support for large outputs of about 2 m.

FDM 3D printing melts plastic filaments and stacks the plastic layer by layer to form a shape. It has the advantage of being able to use the same materials as are used for general industrial plastics, but it has disadvantages such as large manufacturing errors, noticeable layer surfaces, long processing times, and physical properties that vary greatly according to the stacking direction. It is recommended for simple shape confirmation. Assembly testing is not possible due to high tolerances.

SLM 3D printing melts powdered metal materials layer by layer to form a shape. Although it cannot achieve precise tolerances like CNC and the surface is rough, it has the advantage of being able to manufacture complex metal shapes that require CNC 5-axis machining at a relatively low price and with a short lead time.

MJF 3D printing melts powdered nylon materials layer by layer to form a shape. The cost is higher than for SLA, and the surface is rough if not post-processed, but high physical properties, dimensional stability, and heat resistance are guaranteed with the use of PA12 nylon. Among plastic 3D printing technologies, it is the most recommended process for mechanical functional testing.

The vacuum casting process involves making a silicone mold and then pouring liquid material into it to replicate the same product. It can achieve material properties and surface finishes similar to injection molding, and it ensures the highest quality, especially for small-scale production of TPU (rubber-like silicone). It has price competitiveness when making about 10 to 100 products.

Injection molding, where molten plastic is injected into a metal mold, is the most commonly used method in plastic mass production. The initial investment cost for making a mold is high, and it takes about one to three months. It requires a mechanical design suitable for injection molding, but it has the advantages of fast production speed, low part unit price, and mass production of complex structures with bosses/ribs. Injection molding up to 30-50K units is possible, and with a higher number of cavities, one mold can produce hundreds of thousands of parts.