Application
- Early-Stage Functional Prototypes
- Low-cost prototyping and design verification
- Durable Parts
- Quick and efficient production times
- Color Options
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is an additive manufacturing process that belongs to the material extrusion family. In FDM, the part is built by selectively depositing melted material in a pre-determined path, layer by layer as the thermoplastic filament is heated through an extrusion nozzle.
Printing time varies on size and complexity. Small and thin objects print fairly quickly, while larger, geometrically complex objects take a longer time to print.
With the versatility and widespread use of thermoplastics, FDM is extremely popular in a variety of industries, from automotive to consumer goods manufacturing for development, prototyping and manufacture processes.
Maximum Build Size
Standard Lead Time
Wall Thickness
Dimensional Accuracy
Layer Height
Infill
250 x 210 x 210 mm
48 Hours
Minimum 1 mm
± 0.3 mm
0.2 mm / 0.3 mm
20 – 100%
High stiffness, good detail, affordable. PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic for low-cost, non-functional prototyping. Unsuitable for high temperatures.
Rubber-like material, suitable for tubes, grips, seals and gaskets. TPU is a thermoplastic elastomer with low Shore Hardness and a rubber-like feel that can be easily flexed and compressed.
Good for mechanical parts with high impact resistance and flexibility. Sterilizable. PETG is a thermoplastic with improved properties over PLA, with high impact resistance and excellent chemical and moisture resistance.
In 3D Printing, wall thickness refers to the distance between one surface of your part and the opposite sheer surface. A part that would fit a box of 250 x 210 x 210 mm, needs to be designed with a minimal wall thickness of 1 mm. The walls of larger parts need at least 1.2 mm thickness.
However, overly thick walls are not advisable either as they use more material than you need and run the risk of deforming the part.
As the part is printed, printing orientation greatly influences surface quality and strength.
Consider a hollow cylinder with a hole (6mm diameter, 30 mm length) that is printed with its central axis vertical. The 3D printer would construct this part as a series of concentric circles layered atop one another. This would produce a cylinder with a relatively smooth outer surface.
If this same cylinder is re-oriented with its center axis horizontal, the part will be built as a series of rectangles (of different widths) layered on top of each other. This will create a rough outer surface, with visible deposition lines. Additionally, the surface of the cylinder that touches the build platform will be flat due to the initial first layers.
Choosing an appropriate orientation for your part to be printed can make a significant difference in your print quality
As the part is built up layer by layer, it will always have “weak points” caused by its printing orientation. These weak points can cause thin external unsupported elements of your design to easily break off. Therefore, avoid features on your part that are parallel to the base or bottom plane and that will require strength to support them.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) offers relatively high dimensional accuracy. Dimensional accuracy doesn’t relate to the detail of your part but to the deviation from the nominal size. The standard accuracy we offer for FDM is ±0.3 mm.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) takes place on a building platform. Since parts will be “built in mid-air”, they must be attached to the supporting platform to prevent them from collapsing. This attachment is referred to as the “support” and is required for any part built using this technology. In addition to keeping the part in place, it also enables the construction of overhanging elements. After the building process is complete, the support is manually removed. Support material adversely affects surface finish
As support structures usually leave a visible deposition line once removed, your design may incorporate the Rule of 60° which indicates the safe-zone for support-free printing.
With features that are narrower than 60°, features will tend to sag and droop which may cause a print to fail if unsupported.
Features that are wider than 60° generally do not require support due to the base layer it is built upon
In general, debossed text or details are preferable to embossed text or details. For debossed text or surface details, we recommend letters with a minimum line thickness of 1 mm and a depth of 0.5 mm. For embossed text and surface details, we recommend that letters have a line thickness of at least 2.5 mm and a height of at least 0.5 mm.
3DPS LLP stands out among 3D printing service providers with our team of experienced engineers, designers, and technicians who specialize in creating custom solutions using advanced technology and equipment. We prioritize attention to detail, and timely delivery of high-quality results. Let us bring your ideas to life and turn your vision into reality.