Fig. 2
From: Three-dimensional printing in modelling mitral valve interventions
An overview of 3D printer technologies. A schematic representation of common 3D printer technologies currently available. FDM extrudes thermoplastic filaments layer by layer to generate a 3D replica. SLS uses laser to fuse powder-based polymers. SLA uses a liquid photosensitive resin which coalesces on exposure to laser or UV light irradiation. Polyjet printers extrude a photopolymer which solidifies on exposure to a UV light or laser source and offer the ability to combine multiple polymers to generate physical replicas with complex material properties