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3D Printing Services

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

At a glance

Lifecycle

Early stage prototyping

Lead Time

As fast as 1 day

FDM Print Size

FDM bed size to
914mm x 610mm x 914mm

Materials

ABS, ABS – M30i, ABS ESD, ASA, Nylon 12, Nylon 6, PC-ISO, PC+ABS, PETG, Polycarbonate (PC), ST-130, Ultem 1010, Ultem 9085,

3D Printing Materials

ABS

ABS – M30i

ABS ESD

ASA

Nylon 12

Nylon 6

PC-ISO

PC+ABS

PETG

Polycarbonate (PC)

ST-130

Ultem 1010

Ultem 9085

ABS

ABS is a plastic material that's great for mechanical strength and early stage rough prototypes. ABS is a cost-effective material for initial prototyping applications, and with post-processing options it can offer better surface finish than PLA.
Process:
FDM 3D printing
Colors:
Black, Blue, Neutral, Red, White
Resolution:
0.25 mm
Max Print Size:
914 x 609 x 914 mm

Design Recommendations

Max Part Size

ABS / ABS ESD / Polycarbonate (PC) / PC+ABS:500 x 500 x 500 mm
PLA / PET-G / ASA:300 x 300 x 400 mm

Min Feature Size

1 mm
1 mm

Tolerance

+/- 0.5 mm or +/- 1% per inch
+/- 0.5 mm or +/- 1% per inch

Min Wall Thickness

1 mm
1 mm

Min Hole Diameter

1 mm
1 mm

Min Gaps for Mating Parts

0.1 mm minimum; 0.2 mm to ensure fit
0.1 mm minimum; 0.2 mm to ensure fit

Additional Design for Manufacturing Tips

  • No lumen
  • Limit curved surfaces, especially PLA and PET-G as they require a flat surface to print successfully
  • The direction of the hole is very important (the xy plane is more like a cylinder)
  • Bridging: Support material is not necessarily required for distances not exceeding 10mm, as long as the printing area has support on both sides of the laid material.

Cost Saving Tips

  • Cut large models into multiple smaller parts to fit smaller, cheaper machines.
  • Reduce the amount of support material required for overhangs and special orientations.
  • Choose PLA for parts with simple geometries and where tolerances are less important.

About the Process

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a popular 3D printing method that can be used for a variety of purposes including modeling, prototyping and production. In this technology, layers are formed by extruding material from a nozzle to build a 3D object.

The FDM process requires support materials, whether separated or soluble, which is worth considering due to its potential impact on the final part.