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Two model production technologies. Both digital. Both accurate. But each has a different application profile, different economics, and different limitations. In a digital laboratory, the choice between them is a matter of business logic — not ideology.
Two model production technologies. Both digital. Both accurate. But each has a different application profile, different economics, and different limitations. In a digital laboratory, the choice between them is a matter of business logic — not ideology.
The CAD file goes to a CNC milling machine, which carves the model from a material blank (PMMA, wax). The result: a physically robust model — no post-processing required, ready for use right out of the mill.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | ±0.05–0.1 mm |
| Time per model | 30–60 min |
| Serial Production | One model at a time |
| Equipment Cost | PLN 100–300k |
| ROI | 6–12 months |
Advantages: Highest material hardness and resistance. No post-processing — model is ideal for immediate use. Best marginal quality for small volumes. Disadvantages: One job at a time (no parallelization). Higher material cost for large batches. Noisy operation (standard in a lab, but worth noting).
CAD file → SLA/DLP printer cures resin layer by layer → ultrasonic cleaning → UV curing → finished model. The process takes 4–8 hours (including post-processing).
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| SLA Accuracy | ±0.025–0.05 mm |
| DLP Accuracy | ±0.05–0.1 mm |
| Model Time (with post-processing) | 4–8 h |
| Serial Production | 5–15 models simultaneously |
| Equipment Cost | PLN 40–150k |
| ROI | 12–24 months |
Advantages: Serial printing — several models simultaneously overnight. Lower per-unit material cost for large volumes. Silent operation (important in open-plan labs). Disadvantages: Post-processing adds 4–8 hours. Resin is less abrasion-resistant than milled PMMA (important for working models).
| Situation | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|
| 1–5 models per day | CNC Milling |
| 10+ models per day | Serial 3D Printing |
| Model for final prosthetic work | CNC Milling |
| Working model, diagnostic model | 3D Printing |
| Priority: speed of a single model | Milling |
| Priority: cost for large volume | 3D Printing |
| Model duplication (data already exists) | CNC Milling — 1 hour |
The best-performing laboratories use both technologies: a milling machine for precise final models, a printer for series and diagnostic models.
LABORATORY PERSPECTIVE
Contact deltalabs. — we will advise on the best solution for your case.
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3SHAPE · ITERO · MEDIT · DENTSPLY SIRONA