banner-top

FDM

Fused Deposition Modeling

Modeling (FDM), or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is an additive manufacturing process that belongs to the material extrusion family. In FDM, an object is built by selectively depositing melted material in a pre-determined path layer-by-layer. The materials used are thermoplastic polymers and come in a filament form. FDM is the most widely used 3D Printing technology: it represents the largest installed base of 3D printers globally and is often the first technology peopleware exposed to. Support structure is essential for creating geometries with overhangs in FDM. The melted thermoplastic cannot be deposited on thin air. For this reason, some geometries require support structure.

Support structure is essential for creating geometries with overhangs in FDM. The melted thermoplastic cannot be deposited on thin air. For this reason, some geometries require support structure FDM parts are usually not printed solid to reduce the print time and save material. Instead, the outer perimeter is traced using several passes, called the shell, and the interior is filled with an internal, low-density structure, called the infill. FDM parts can be finished to a very high standard using various post-processing methods, such as sanding and polishing, priming and painting, cold welding, vapor smoothing, epoxy coating and metal plating.

REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATIONS
Maximum build size 600 x 600 x 500mm
Standard lead time 4 business days
Dimensional accuracy 0.5mm
Layer thickness 100-300 μm
Infill 20-100%

Our Fused Deposition
Modeling 3D
Printing Capability

mjf-printed-image-1@1x

Benefits of Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing

  • chevron-right-24Speed
  • chevron-right-24Accuracy
  • chevron-right-24Affordability
  • chevron-right-24Ease of Use
  • chevron-right-24Scaling

Design Guidelines For Fused
Deposition Modeling

REQUIREMENTS SPECIFICATIONS
Suggested minimum wall thickness 1.2mm
Supported wall thickness 0.8mm
Un-supported wall thickness 0.8mm
Minimum Feature size 1.2 μm
Minimum hole size 2mm

Fused Deposition Modeling Key Design Considerations

If a bridge exceeds 5mm, sagging or marks from support material can occur. Splitting the design or post-processing can eliminate this issue.

For critical vertical hole diameters, drilling after printing is recommended if high accuracy is desirable.

The addition of support will allow FDM printers to print wall angles greater than 45 degrees.

Include a 45o degree chamfer or radius on all edges of an FDM part touching the build plate.

For applications with small vertical pins, add a small fillet at the base or consider inserting an off the shelf pin into a printed hole instead.

Splitting a model, re-orientating holes, and specifying build direction are all factors that can lower cost, speed up the printing process, and improve the strength and print quality of a design.


banner-top
Achieve
complex geometries
banner-top
No tooling,
reducing cost
Strong and
durable components
banner-top
High accuracy
and fine details
banner-top

OTHER 3D PRINTING SERVICES
FDM

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is a quick and cost-effective way of producing parts out of thermoplastics. FDM is the most widely used 3D printing technology. It is suitable for the production of functional parts, Concept prototypes, form and fitment prototypes, Batch production.
SLA

SLA is best suited for applications where high detail or high accuracy is required. Create high fidelity prototypes/ functional parts for medical, dental, Automotive, jewelry, casting, etc. Tough Resin(ABS-like), Flexible Resin(Elastomers), High-Temperature Resin, are some of the most used materials for SLA 3d printing.



SLS

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) uses synthetic thermoplastic polymers, such as nylons. SLS is suitable for affordable batch production, complex geometries, or for producing strong parts. Parts produced using SLS are porous, and have decent mechanical strength. PA2200 is the most widely used material for this process.
DMLS

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) are both used in the production of metal parts with excellent physical and mechanical properties. Suitable for Complex geometries of metal, creating Lightweight metal parts. A variety of superalloys/metals can be 3d printed using this process.
Polyjet

One of the fastest 3D printing technology, Polyjet is suited for realistic prototypes, and if high accuracy, smooth surface finish are important requisites. Polyjet can print in multiple materials and colors. Polyjet is mostly used for concept prototypes, not suitable for engineering applications or functional parts.
MJF

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is one of the fastest processes producing quality plastic parts with detailed features. The parts printed in MJF exhibit consistent mechanical properties, low porosity and are usually light grey in color. It's suitable for small batch production as an alternative to injection molding.