LCD and DLP both cure 405 nm resin with light — but the light engine changes your cost-per-part and your resolution ceiling.
How they differ
DLP uses a chip that projects the whole layer; LCD uses a masked LCD panel. DLP tends to give sharper edges and longer light-source life; LCD is far cheaper per machine and simpler to maintain.
What to weigh
| LCD | DLP | |
|---|---|---|
| Machine cost | Low | High |
| Edge sharpness | Good | Best |
| Build size | Larger | Smaller |
For most labs, LCD delivers 90% of the result at half the price. See the AI Printing Series LCD line-up.
Resolution is not accuracy
A 4K LCD at 35 µm pixel size resolves detail, but dimensional accuracy is set by the optical path and exposure consistency, not pixel count. DLP's mirror array gives uniform flux across the field; LCD dims toward the edges, so a part at the corner can be 20–40 µm larger than at centre.
| Factor | LCD | DLP |
|---|---|---|
| Light-source life | 1,000–2,000 h | 2,000–5,000 h |
| Field uniformity | Edges dim | Uniform |
| Cost | Low | Higher |
When DLP earns its price
For surgical guides and splints where corner-to-corner fit matters, DLP's uniform flux pays off. For models and temporaries, LCD delivers 90% of the result at half the price. See the AI Printing Series.