FDM/FFF (Fused Deposit Modeling/Fused Filament Fabrication)

This is the cheapest and most widely available 3D printing technique, wherein a spool of plastic is additively melted to create a form. Materials: PLA (polylactic acid), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), Nylon (polyamide), Polycarbonate, etc.

Potential Applications

• Soul Plates
• Buckles
• Frames
• Boots

PRO

• Inexpensive printer hardware
• Widely available
• Easy to use/learn/get started with
• Cheap consumables

CON

• Not that strong without heat treatment/chemical post-processing. Still less durable than injection molded plastic.
• Slow: 10+ hours for a frame

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)

Plastic (usually nylon/polyamide) powder is mechanically spread and ...