Light curing printing and ordinary printing (НАПРИМЕР., inkjet, laser printing) are two distinct technologies tailored for different manufacturing needs—one for high-precision 3D objects and the other for fast 2D flat outputs. Understanding their differences is critical for choosing the right method, whether you’re creating dental models, jewelry prototypes, or office documents. В этой статье разбивается core differences between light curing printing and ordinary printing через 6 ключевые области, plus practical guidance on when to use each.
1. Core Difference: Принцип печати (3D Additive vs. 2D Depositive)
The fundamental divide between the two lies in their output format and material transformation—this shapes every other aspect of their performance.
| Технология | Принцип печати | Как это работает | Simple Analogy |
| Light Curing Printing | 3D Additive Manufacturing | Uses a digital light source (ультрафиолетовый, лазер) to cure фоточувствительная смола слой по слою. Each layer of liquid resin is irradiated according to slice data, turning it solid. Layers stack sequentially to form a 3D object. | Building a house with bricks: Each brick (resin layer) is placed and fixed (cured) one by one to create a 3D structure. |
| Ordinary Printing | 2D Depositive Printing | Focuses on transferring colorants to flat media (бумага, пластиковые листы).- Струйный: Sprays liquid ink from a printhead onto the surface.- Лазер: Uses electrostatic force to attach toner to media, then heats to fuse it. | Painting on a canvas: Цвет (ink/toner) is applied directly to a flat surface to create a 2D image. |
2. Сравнение бок о бок: Light Curing vs. Ordinary Printing Across 6 Key Areas
To quickly evaluate which technology fits your needs, use this comprehensive table comparing their materials, точность, скорость, и еще.
| Категория сравнения | Light Curing Printing | Ordinary Printing (Inkjet/Laser) | Ключевой вынос |
| Print Materials | – Primary: Photosensitive resin (жидкость).- Varieties: General-purpose, Высокотемпературный устойчивый, прозрачный, tough.- Requires specialized resin for different properties (НАПРИМЕР., heat resistance for engine parts). | – Струйный: Liquid ink (на водной основе, oil-based).- Лазер: Powdered toner (plastic-based).- Materials are low-cost and widely available for daily use. | Light curing uses specialized resins for 3D performance; ordinary printing uses cheap, standard ink/toner for 2D. |
| Точность & Деталь | – High 3D precision: Resolution up to 0.1mm or higher.- Excels at complex details: Can print tiny structures (НАПРИМЕР., 0.1mm gaps in dental models) and intricate patterns (Ювелирные гравюры).- Restores 3D shapes with minimal distortion. | – Moderate 2D precision: Струйный (0.01–0,1 мм), лазер (slightly higher).- Limited 3D capability: Cannot create true 3D objects; only 2D images on flat surfaces.- Struggles with complex 3D details (НАПРИМЕР., Изогнутые поверхности). | Light curing dominates 3D precision; ordinary printing is for fast, simple 2D outputs. |
| Скорость печати | – Slow for 3D parts: Larger/complex objects take hours (НАПРИМЕР., a 10cm jewelry prototype = 2–8 hours).- Speed depends on layer count: More layers = longer time.- High-speed models exist but remain slower than ordinary printing. | – Fast for 2D documents: Inkjet prints 5–30 pages per minute (ppm); laser prints 20–100 ppm.- No 3D capability: Cannot print 3D objects, regardless of speed. | Ordinary printing wins for 2D efficiency; light curing prioritizes 3D quality over speed. |
| Области применения | – Промышленное: Точные детали (аэрокосмические компоненты), mold making.- Медицинский: Стоматологические модели, custom implants.- Creative: Jewelry prototypes, animation figures, architectural sand tables.- Фокус: High-value, small-batch 3D items. | – Office: Documents, reports, presentations.- Consumer: Photos, flyers, promotional materials.- Коммерческий: Packaging labels, catalogs.- Фокус: Масса, low-cost 2D flat outputs. | Light curing serves niche 3D industries; ordinary printing is for daily/office 2D needs. |
| Стоимость оборудования | – Высокий: Consumer models = \(500- )5,000; industrial models = \(10,000- )100,000+.- Requires additional tools (resin tanks, curing stations) for quality control. | – Низкий: Inkjet printers = \(100- )1,000; laser printers = \(200- )3,000.- Minimal extra equipment: Only needs ink/toner refills. | Light curing needs higher upfront investment; ordinary printing is budget-friendly for daily use. |
| Стоимость материала & Обслуживание | – High material cost: Photosensitive resin = \(20- )100 за литр (varies by type).- Обслуживание: Resin tanks need regular cleaning; light sources may require replacement after 1,000+ часы. | – Low material cost: Ink = \(10- )50 per cartridge; toner = \(20- )100 per bottle.- Обслуживание: Inkjet printheads risk clogging (use original ink to avoid); laser needs occasional drum replacement. | Light curing has higher ongoing costs; ordinary printing is cheaper to maintain. |
3. When to Choose Light Curing vs. Ordinary Printing? (Step-by-Step Decision Guide)
Use this linear, question-driven process to align the technology with your project goals:
Шаг 1: Define Output Format (3D vs. 2Дюймовый)
- Need 3D objects (НАПРИМЕР., прототипы, медицинские модели): Выбирать light curing printing—it’s the only option for true 3D shapes with fine details.
- Need 2D flat outputs (НАПРИМЕР., documents, photos): Выбирать ordinary printing—it’s faster and cheaper for 2D tasks.
Шаг 2: Evaluate Precision Requirements
- High-precision 3D parts (НАПРИМЕР., dental crown models, ювелирные изделия): Использовать light curing printing (0.1mm resolution ensures accuracy).
- Basic 2D quality (НАПРИМЕР., draft documents): Использовать ordinary printing (inkjet/laser meets standard clarity needs).
Шаг 3: Consider Budget & Timeline
- Tight timeline for 2D tasks (НАПРИМЕР., same-day reports): Выберите laser printing (до 100 ppm).
- Willing to invest in 3D quality (НАПРИМЕР., custom jewelry): Выбирать light curing printing—higher costs are offset by detail and functionality.
4. Yigu Technology’s Perspective on Light Curing vs. Ordinary Printing
В Yigu Technology, we see light curing and ordinary printing as complementary, not competitive. Many clients mistakenly use light curing for 2D-like prototypes (НАПРИМЕР., flat display models) when ordinary printing + simple cutting would be 80% дешевле. Мы рекомендуем: Использовать ordinary printing for 2D design validation (НАПРИМЕР., printing product blueprints) и light curing printing for 3D functional testing (НАПРИМЕР., dental model fit checks). For clients blending 2D and 3D needs (НАПРИМЕР., architectural firms), we also offer integrated solutions—print 2D floor plans with laser printers, then 3D building models with light curing systems. This approach balances cost and performance, ensuring every project uses the right tool for the job.
Часто задаваемые вопросы: Common Questions About Light Curing and Ordinary Printing
- Q.: Can ordinary printing (inkjet/laser) be modified to print 3D objects?
А: Нет. Ordinary printers are designed to deposit ink/toner on flat surfaces—they lack the ability to stack materials or cure resins. 3D Печать (including light curing) requires specialized hardware (light sources, resin tanks) that ordinary printers don’t have.
- Q.: Is light curing printing worth the cost for small-batch 3D parts (НАПРИМЕР., 50 jewelry prototypes)?
А: Да. Для небольших партий, light curing avoids the high mold costs of traditional manufacturing. While resin is expensive, the total cost (оборудование + материал) is lower than making molds—and you can easily adjust designs between prints.
- Q.: What type of light curing resin should I use for medical models (НАПРИМЕР., dental impressions)?
А: Выбирать биосовместимый, high-precision resin (НАПРИМЕР., FDA-approved dental resins). These resins have low toxicity, high detail resolution (0.05–0,1 мм), and stable mechanical properties—critical for ensuring accurate fits in medical applications. Avoid general-purpose resins, as they may not meet safety standards.