ACCURACY AND SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION OF 3D PRINTED SAMPLES FABRICATED FROM THERMOPLASTIC AND PHOTOPOLYMER RESIN

With a growing interest in 3D printing in medicine, it is essential to understand the properties of materials that allow accurate reproduction of anatomical structures. This study evaluateed common materials used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technologies in terms of dimensional accuracy and surface quality. The samples were analyzed using a Keyence VHX-X1 digital microscope. Dimensional accuracy was assessed through automatic 2D image measurements, while surface roughness was evaluated using 3D imaging. Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PET-G) exhibited the highest accuracy (deviations <0.5%), with PLA showing exceptional stability (<0.3%). Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and medical ABS demonstrated greater variability, and ABS was prone to warping. Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) showed high surface roughness. SLA samples printed with BioMed Clear resin had smooth, uniform, and transparent surfaces, advantageous for medical visualization. The results support the selection of materials in accordance with medical application requirements.