What is fdm 3d printer

FDM 3D printing - Fused Deposition Modeling also know as FFF

Back

The way in which 3D printing has developed in recent years is nothing short of astounding with a wide range of 3D printing technologies available, one of them being FDM 3D printing.

This FDM technology is most common and is also known as Fused Deposition Modeling. This is a technology that has been patented by Stratasys and it is a technology that enables the creation of prototypes in a very short timeframe. This technology is also known as Fused Filament Fabrication or FFF 3D printing. All Tractus3D industrial printers make use of this technology. But what is it exactly and what are the things to consider to find the best FDM 3D printer that suits your needs.

What is FDM printing?

FDM 3D printing is a technology that works both horizontally and vertically, where an extrusion nozzle moves over a build platform. The process involves the use of thermoplastic material that reaches melting point and is then forced out, to create a 3D object layer by layer. As the design takes shape, it is clear to the see each layer as a horizontal cross section. Following the completion of one layer, the nozzle of the printer is lowered in order for the next layer of plastic to be added to the design. Once the object has been created, the materials that are used to support the object can then be removed.

Many businesses use FDM 3D printing technology as it allows the creation of detailed and intricate objects. Therefore, engineers are using it to allow them to test parts for fit and form. It is a technology that is now assisting the creation of small parts and specialised tools that would once take a lot longer to produce.

Every single 3D printer that we have uses FFF 3D printing with the most common 3D printed material being Polylactic Acid, also known as PLA. However, we do not stop there because our High Temperature printers can also use other materials such as polyetherimide (PEI) and Polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

The technology that drives FDM forward was invented in the 1980’s which was down to the evolution of technology that became commercially available. We have also adopted this FFF 3D printing technology and that enables us to deliver 3D printing systems that can provide a huge range of benefits.

How does FDM 3D printing work?

In the same way as other forms of 3D printing, FDM uses a digital design that is uploaded to the 3D printer. There are a lot of different polymers used, such as ABS, PETG, PEI and PEEK. These take the shape of plastic threads that are fed from a coil and through a nozzle. The filaments are melted and fed onto the base, known as a build platform or table with the base and the nozzle, both of which are controlled by a computer. The computer works by translating the object and its dimension into co-ordinates that make it possible for the nozzle and base to follow.

As the nozzle moves across the base, the plastic cools and becomes solid, forming a hard bond with the previous layer. At this point the printhead goes up in order for the next layer of plastic to be laid. As always, 3D printing is efficient and fast but the time it takes to create an object does depend on its size. Smaller objects that are around several cubic inches can be created quickly but larger, more complex object will take longer.

What is FDM 3D printing used for?

The use of 3D printing is highly publicised but what is FDM 3D Printing or FFF 3D printing used for? Many different industries choose to use FDM 3D printing. Industries including automotive and a wide range of consumer goods manufacturers. They use FDM because it helps to aid their product development, their prototyping and their manufacturing process. Manufacturers of certain products use FDM 3D printing because of the thermoplastic that is used during development is perfect for anything ranging from Children’s toys or even sports equipment.

Prototyping

Prior to a product being taken to the mass market, it is important that objects are tested vigorously. Therefore, the use of thermoplastics is ideal for creating prototypes because they can endure heat, chemicals and mechanical stress. Along with this, as FDM printing has the ability to create extremely detailed objects, it makes it the ideal choice for those industries that use need to create parts that need to be tested for fit and form.

However, it is not just about prototyping because FDM is also used to create end-use parts, especially small parts that have a lot of details. In fact, it is common for thermoplastics to be used for food packaging and drug packaging and so, it is a popular technology in the medical industry. Here you can find some case studies about the use of 3D printing.

For businesses looking for a viable option that can deliver results, FDM 3d printing offers the perfect solution. It is competitively priced and the best FDM 3D printers can deliver results efficiently and effectively.

What are the advantages of FDM 3D printing?

Easy handling

The 3D printing industry is constantly evolving. There is no doubt that it will become the main way to create parts and objects in the future. It simplifies the manufacturing process and enables manufacturers to test, alter and finally produce a final product in timeframe that is faster than traditional methods. Easy handling is one of the great benefits of FDM or FFF 3D printing, make sure you have the best FDM 3D printer for your company goals.

Cost efficient

For any business, cost is everything because it eats into the bottom line and affects profits and so, keeping costs low is vital. Therefore, FDM 3D printing, provides a viable solution that is designed to help keep manufacturing costs low. Of course, there is the prototype development costs to keep down, the testing costs and the final production costs. Through a comparison with other types of 3D printing techniques, FDM 3D printing is also cheaper than other methods. The materials used are cheaper than the ones used in SLS and SLA 3D printing.

Flexibility in material choice

Often, many businesses are governed by the materials they use during the manufacturing process. However, when it comes to FDM or FFF 3D printing, there is a broad range of materials available and all are accessible and economical. It is also possible for a selection of materials to be used at the same time which helps to create complex objects while it is also possible to print using a wide range of colours offering versatility and flexibility.

Less post-processing

Time is money but FDM 3D printing is an option that optimises production times and that saves money. As there is less post-processing required, it means that there is no need to think about how you use expensive liquids used in other methods, it simply creates a product that is ready to use.

Accessibility is vital for businesses if they are to take advantage of FDM 3D printing. Whether a business is looking for a 3D printing solution for the first time or simply looking for a feasible printing option that is readily-available, FDM 3D printing is a great option. The technique is efficient, easy to understand and the best FDM 3D printers deliver readily-available results with very little fuss. So after comparing technologies you can start comparing printers to find your best FDM 3D printer, meeting your requirements.

How do you find the best FDM 3D printer?

As explained in the text above, the right FDM 3D printer will help you utilizing the benefits of the technique. You should pay special attention to a couple of things when you are searching for the best FDM 3D printer that suits your needs. Factors such as build volume, printing material, technical specs and service will influence the price of the FDM printer.

Build volume

One of the most important things to consider when searching for your best FDM 3D printer is the size of the designs you want to print in 3D. Also determine upfront if you are going to 3D print batches of multiple objects. The size of the design and the batch size affect the build volume you need.

Printable materials

There are many different print materials (filaments) available for FDM 3D printers. Each material has its pros and cons. What kind of material do you want to print? Be aware that not every FDM printer can handle all types of materials. For example high performance materials like PEEK need a higher extruder temperature, which the majority of FDM 3D printers do not offer.

Certain manufacturers have a closed filament system, meaning that you can only use the printing materials from a particular brand (often their own brand). On the other hand, there are also manufacturers with an open filament system, offering you freedom of choice. In that case you are free to choose your prefered filament brand, which is almost always less expensive.

Technical specifications

Finding your best FDM 3D printer also means looking into the, sometimes complicated, technical specifications of the machines. We already discussed the importance of the size of the print area (1. Build volume). Other important specifications are:

Extruder(s): Each 3D printing material has a different melting point, that is why the extruder (or nozzle) temperature of the FDM 3D printer is vital. Make sure that the extruder can handle the material you want to print.

Resolution: The thickness of the layers affect the quality of the output. A higher resolution means thinner layers, which are less visible. This is often measured in microns, a resolution of 10 microns is a layer thickness of 0,01 millimeters. Make sure its the best FDM 3D printer for the quality you need, check if the minimum and maximum resolution meet your requirements.

Speeds: There are two different speeds to consider, travel speed and printing speed. Printing speed is the actual speed each layer is 3D printed and travel speed is the speed at which the FDM printer moves from one point to the other while its not printing. Be aware that speed settings can also influence the quality of the output.

Other features which improve the 3D printing process are a automatic build plate calibration, out-of filament detection and a closed chamber.

Service

As is possible with any machine, some parts of it can malfunction or get worn over time. Even with the best FDM 3D printer you can experience issues. Look up the warranty term at the manufacturer and in some cases signing a service level agreement could be interesting. Its also wise to check the support level by phone, email and/or live chat.

What is the future of FDM 3D printing?

FDM 3D printing will stay a leading technology

The ability to use 3D printing to enhance business operations, reduce costs and improve efficiency is exactly why 3D printing has become a popular solution. As it continues to grow, we believe the FDM 3D printing will continue to become a leading technology that is embraced by businesses around the world. Therefore, the future of 3D printing is one that will prove just how beneficial it can be while continuing to deliver results.

Every business wants to simplify their workflow and that is where FDM printers can really enhance the simplicity of the whole process. It has already been mentioned that the technology is simpler than other forms of 3D printing but the fact that the printers are (often) smaller, the process is safer, cheaper and a lot easier means that it is an attractive option.

More and more businesses will be able to adopt FDM printing

As the equipment evolves, it will become something that more and more businesses will be able to adopt. This will provide flexibility and more control over how they produce products, test and take their final designs to market. This level of control will also enable businesses to create goods without the need to store items and that certainly will give them a greater level of adaptability.

Often, scaling up manufacturing processes can lead to problems and increased costs. However, the best FDM 3D printers are a lot easier and far less complex than other machines which means that manufacturers can produce more products in an efficient and simple way without the high costs. In comparison to other technologies, this is an option that can certainly give businesses the ability to produce more goods without the complexities that often come with that.

New materials will be developed

FDM 3D Printing is a technology that competes with other technologies that are currently available. It is a cost effective way of creating products without having to adopt expensive and time-consuming methods. Of course, the fact that the consumable market in FDM 3D printing is made up of mainly PLA and ABS plastics means that the consumables have decreased in price compared with other types of 3D printing.

Longevity and the ability to evolve is what makes a technology successful and FDM printing offers exactly that. As it uses real materials as oppose to photopolymers, it means that new materials could be developed resulting in a technology that is able to adapt to a wide range of uses. As a market that is still deemed to be relatively new, it is still possible to purchase a wide range of materials such as woodfill, corkfill, electrically conductive material as well as carbon fibre-infused material.

FDM printing is here to stay

Therefore, FDM printing will continue to develop well into the future and at a pace that will enable it to be a real leader when it comes to the manufacturing process. The future potential is huge while the material capabilities make it a technology that stretches far and wide. Here you can take a look at our industrial 3D printers. Find our which one is the best FDM 3D printer that suit your needs.

Compare Filament and Resin 3D Printers

The 3D printing and additive manufacturing market has undergone rapid change in recent years. No longer primarily the domain of hobbyists, highly capable desktop machines have developed into essential tools for businesses. After becoming the go-to tool for prototyping and product development, 3D printing use has expanded across manufacturing, dentistry, jewelry, and much more.

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) and stereolithography (SLA) are the two most popular types of 3D printers on the market. Both 3D printing technologies have been adapted and refined for the desktop, making them more affordable, easier to use, and more capable.

In this comprehensive buyer's guide, we take a closer look at FDM and SLA 3D printers (also known as filament and resin 3d printers), and how they compare in terms of print quality, materials, applications, workflow, speed, costs, and more, to help you decide which technique is ideal for your business.

Video Guide

Having trouble finding the best 3D printing technology for your needs? In this video guide, we compare FDM, SLA, and SLS technologies across popular buying considerations.

Watch the Videos

Fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), is the most widely used type of 3D printing at the consumer level. FDM 3D printers work by extruding thermoplastic filaments, such as ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PLA (Polylactic Acid), through a heated nozzle, melting the material and applying the plastic layer by layer to a build platform. Each layer is laid down one at a time until the part is complete.

Watch how FDM 3D printing works.

FDM 3D printers are well-suited for basic proof-of-concept models, as well as quick and low-cost prototyping of simple parts, such as parts that might typically be machined.

Stereolithography was the world’s first 3D printing technology, invented in the 1980s, and is still one of the most popular technologies for professionals. SLA 3D printers use a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic in a process called photopolymerization.

See how SLA 3D printing works.

SLA resin 3D printers have become vastly popular for their ability to produce high-accuracy, isotropic, and watertight prototypes and parts in a range of advanced materials with fine features and smooth surface finish. SLA resin formulations offer a wide range of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.

Resin 3D printing a great option for highly detailed prototypes requiring tight tolerances and smooth surfaces, such as molds, patterns, and functional parts. SLA 3D printers are widely used in a range of industries from engineering and product design to manufacturing, dentistry, jewelry, model making, and education.

White Paper

Looking for a 3D printer to realize your 3D models in high resolution? Download our white paper to learn how SLA printing works and why it's the most popular 3D printing process for creating models with incredible details.

Download the White Paper

When additive manufacturing processes produce parts layer by layer, each layer also introduces an opportunity for inaccuracy. The process by which layers are formed affects the surface quality, level of precision, and the accuracy of each layer, and consequently, the overall print quality.

FDM 3D printers form layers by depositing lines of molten material. With this process, the resolution of the part is defined by the size of the extrusion nozzle and there are voids in between the rounded lines as the nozzle deposits them. As a result, layers may not fully adhere to one another, layers are generally clearly visible on the surface, and the process lacks the ability to reproduce intricate details that other technologies can offer.

In SLA 3D printing, liquid resin is cured by a highly-precise laser to form each layer, which can achieve much finer details and is more reliable to repeatedly achieve high-quality results. As a result, SLA 3D printing is known for its fine features, smooth surface finish, ultimate part precision, and accuracy.

Accuracy, precision, and tolerance in 3D printing are complex and often misunderstood terms. Learn more about their meaning to better understand 3D print performance.

SLA parts have sharp edges, sleek surfaces, and minimal visible layer lines. This example part was printed on the Formlabs Form 3 desktop SLA 3D printer.

The use of light instead of heat for printing is another way SLA printers guarantee reliability. By 3D printing parts at close to room temperature, they don't suffer from thermal expansion and contraction artifacts, which can happen during the FDM printing process.

Thanks to the highly precise laser, SLA 3D printers are better for manufacturing complex parts (FDM part on the left, SLA part on the right).

While FDM printers produce a mechanical bond between layers, SLA 3D printers create chemical bonds by cross-linking photopolymers across layers, resulting in fully dense parts that are water and airtight. These bonds provide high degrees of lateral strength, resulting in isotropic parts, meaning that the strength of the parts does not change with orientation. This makes SLA 3D printing especially ideal for engineering and manufacturing applications where material properties matter.

The difference in quality is less visible on relatively simple parts. However, SLA parts are dense and isotropic, which makes them better suited for many engineering and manufacturing applications (FDM part on the left, SLA part on the right).

Sample part

See and feel Formlabs quality firsthand. We’ll ship a free sample part to your office.

Request a Free Sample Part

Plastic extrusion 3D printers work with a range of standard thermoplastic filaments, such as ABS, PLA, and their various blends. The popularity of FDM 3D printing in the hobbyist space has led to an abundance of color options. Various experimental plastic filaments blends also exist to create parts with wood- or metal-like surface.

Engineering materials, such as Nylon, PETG, PA, or TPU and high-performance thermoplastics like PEEK or PEI are also available, but often limited to selected professional FDM printers that support them.

FDM filaments and blends offer various color options. (source: All3DP.com)

SLA resin materials have the benefit of a wide range of formulation configurations: they can be soft or hard, heavily filled with additives like glass and ceramic, or imbued with mechanical properties like high heat deflection temperature or impact resistance. Various resin formulations offer a wide range of optical, mechanical, and thermal properties to match those of standard, engineering, and industrial thermoplastics.

SLA 3D printers offer diverse materials for engineering and manufacturing applications.

In some cases, it’s this combination of versatility and functionality that leads to companies to initially bring SLA 3D printing in-house. After finding one application solved by a specific functional material, it’s usually not long before more possibilities are uncovered, and the printer becomes a tool for leveraging the diverse capabilities of various materials.

Some material properties that are unique to SLA include:

SLA is the only 3D printing technique that can produce transparent parts on the desktop. Ideal for getting visibility into complex assemblies, (micro)fluidics, mold making, optics, lighting, and any parts requiring translucency.

Learn More

Parts printed in this material look and behave like a molded silicone part, and are durable enough to use for multiple cycles.

Learn More

Offers a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 238 °C @ 0.45 MPa, the highest heat resistance of any material in desktop 3D printing.

Learn More

A 20% wax-filled material for direct investment casting and pressing for dental and jewelry applications.

Learn More

Specialized materials for dental applications like biocompatible surgical guides, splints, fixed patterns and models, clear aligner models, and full dentures.

Learn More

3D print parts with a stone-like finish and fire them to create a fully ceramic piece.

Learn More

Interactive

Need some help figuring out which 3D printing material you should choose? Our new interactive material wizard helps you make the right material decisions based on your application and the properties you care the most about from our growing library of resins.

Recommend Me a Material

See how to go from design to 3D print with the Form 3+ SLA 3D printer. This 5-minute video covers the basics of how to use the Form 3, from the software and materials to printing and post-processing.

The workflow for both FDM and SLA 3D printing consist of three steps: designing, 3D printing, and post-processing.

First, use any CAD software or 3D scan data to design a model, and export it in a 3D printable file format (STL or OBJ). 3D printers then require print preparation or slicer software to specify printing settings and slice the digital model into layers for printing.

Low-cost FDM or SLA 3D printers are not really user friendly and often require many hours of tweaking and experimenting to dial-in the correct print settings. Still, the results might change with each new design or material and the chance of failed prints remains high. This not only delays projects, but can also lead to messy failures that require a lengthy cleanup process.

Professional SLA 3D printers, like the Form 3, and some other professional FDM printers come with their own proprietary software and predefined settings for each material that have been thoroughly tested to ensure the highest print success rate.

Setting up prints with advanced print preparation tools like PreForm is plug and play. PreForm is a free download, try it now.

Once the 3D printing process begins, most 3D printers can run unattended, even overnight, until the print is complete. Advanced SLA 3D printers like the Form 3 offer a cartridge system, that refills the material automatically.

The final step of the workflow is post-processing. SLA parts require rinsing in isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or alternative solvents to remove any uncured resin from their surface. Using the standard workflow, this involves first removing parts from the build platform, then manually soaking them in a bath of solvent to clean off excess resin.

Professional solutions such as the Form Wash automate this process. Parts can be transferred directly from the printer to Form Wash, which agitates the solvent around the parts to clean them and automatically raises parts out of alcohol bath when the process is finished.

After rinsed parts dry, some SLA materials require post-curing, a process which helps parts to reach their highest possible strength and stability.

The FDM process has the benefit that it doesn’t require cleaning; unsupported finished parts are ready for use or further post-processing once the printing process is complete.

Both FDM and SLA processes use support structures to facilitate 3D printing more complex geometries and their removal represents the last step in post-processing.

Supports on FDM parts need to be manually torn away or dissolved in water, depending on the support material.

Supported FDM prints require additional post-processing to achieve a high-quality finish (source: 3D Hubs).

Support removal for SLA parts requires cutting away the support structures and lightly sanding the parts to remove support marks. Formlabs’ Low Force Stereolithography (LFS)™ technology offer light-touch supports, which allow an entire object to be torn away from its support base in seconds, leaving minimal markings and reducing time spent post-processing.

When further post-processing is required, both FDM and SLA parts can be machined, primed, painted, and assembled for specific applications or finishes. FDM parts, however, require additional sanding before priming or painting and need higher infill levels to be machined or bored.

Webinar

In this webinar, Matt Lewis and Ricky Hopper walk you through an overview of the improved SLA line, and give a hands on demo of the new products.

Watch the Webinar Now

How much does an FDM or SLA 3D printer cost and how much time and cost can you actually save with it for your business? Calculating cost per part requires accounting for the costs of equipment ownership, material, and labor. It’s helpful to understand the factors that influence each of these cost components, and the questions to ask to evaluate alternative production methods and uncover hidden costs.

One of the main selling points for FDM 3D printers is the low machine cost. With entry-level FDM printers available for only a few hundred dollars, hobbyists and small businesses can try FDM to see if 3D printing is something worth adding to their toolset. For those unsure of where to start, the lower cost of an entry-level FDM machine is often persuasive enough to justify a purchase. However, these low-cost FDM printers can be unreliable and often require an expert to keep running in the long term.

Professional desktop FDM printers are easier to use and more tailored to businesses, with prices ranging from $2,000-$8,000. These 3D printers generally provide better reliability, higher print quality, and larger build volumes. While these machines are suitable for producing functional parts, competition at this price point is fierce, as SLA machines offer a wider range of applications and better quality prints.

SLA 3D printers start around $3,750 with Formlabs offering the only accessible large SLA 3D printer solution starting at $11,000.

In terms of materials, FDM filaments are also relatively low cost compared to materials for other 3D printing technologies. Common FDM materials like ABS, PLA, and their various blends generally start around $50/kg, while specialized FDM filaments for engineering applications can be $100-150/kg. Soluble support materials for dual extrusion FDM 3D printers sell for $100-200/kg. In comparison, most standard and engineering resins for SLA 3D printers cost $149-$200/L.

Labor costs are the final—often forgotten—part of the equation. For simple designs that require no supports to print, FDM requires almost no post-processing. Supported FDM prints and parts that require a high-quality finish, however, require lengthy manual post-processing.

SLA parts require washing and, depending on the material, also post-curing, but both of these processes can be mostly automated with accessories to minimize labor time. Supported SLA prints only require a bit of sanding to remove support marks and achieve a high-quality finish.

As a rule of thumb, FDM 3D printers will create the cheapest parts if you’re printing only relatively simple prototypes in limited numbers. SLA resin 3D printers offer higher resolution, better quality, and a wide variety of 3D printing materials at a slight premium, but the difference quickly diminishes when you print complex designs or larger batches due to the less labor-intensive post-processing.

Interactive

Try our interactive ROI tool to see how much time and cost you can save when 3D printing on Formlabs 3D printers.

Calculate Your Savings

Draft Resin is a fast-printing SLA material that can create parts up to 5-10X faster than FDM 3D printers. With a 200-micron layer height, Draft Resin is accurate enough to meet prototyping needs while enabling faster design iterations. Larger models that take up most of the build volume of an SLA printer (around a 15 cm cube) take only around nine hours to print with Draft Resin. Printing the same part at 200-micron layers on an FDM printer can take 80-90 hours. This is ideal for applications like rapid prototyping, where it allows users to quickly evaluate success and move on to another print or project.

FDM and SLA printing speed becomes comparable when printing parts at similar layer heights with other materials. But note, that a part printed at 100-micron layers on an FDM printer looks vastly different from a part printed at 100-micron layers on an SLA printer, because of the way the layers are built. Achieving comparable quality with FDM parts will require lower layers height —thus two to four times longer printing time— or significant and time-consuming post-processing to improve surface finish.

Webinar

Looking to learn more? Listen to the product managers who helped develop Draft Resin materials in this on-demand webinar.

Watch the Webinar Now

One area where FDM printers traditionally reigned used to be build volume. Due to the differences in technology, developing larger FDM machines is less complex. There are numerous larger FDM solutions on the market for applications that require 3D printing bigger parts.

The inverted SLA process behind desktop SLA printers reduces footprint and cost, but heightened peel forces introduce limitations around materials and build volume, and larger parts require sturdy support structures to print successfully.

With the introduction of the Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) print process that powers the Form 3 and Form 3L, Formlabs has completely re-engineered our approach to resin-based 3D printing to drastically reduce the forces exerted on parts during the print process. Uniform linear illumination and the low forces from the flexible tank mean Low Force Stereolithography technology can seamlessly scale up to a larger print area built around the same powerful print engine.

The first affordable large format resin printer, the Form 3L delivers large parts fast, using two staggered light processing units (LPUs) that work simultaneously along an optimized print path. Delivering a build volume five times larger than current SLA printers, the Form 3L removes size restrictions that sometimes hinder workflows on smaller desktop devices, while maintaining a competitive price point.

The Form 3L offers five times larger build volume than current SLA printers while maintaining a competitive price point.

Webinar

Want to learn more about the Form 3L and Form 3BL ecosystem, and the new large format post-processing machines?

In this demo, Kyle and Chris will expain how to navigate the Form 3L end-to-end workflow, including post-processing.

Watch Now

Each 3D printing technology has its own strengths, weaknesses, and requirements, and is suitable for different applications and businesses. The following table summarizes some key characteristics and considerations when comparing resin vs. filament 3D printers.

	Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)	Stereolithography (SLA)
Resolution	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Accuracy	★★★★☆	★★★★★
Surface Finish	★★☆☆☆	★★★★★
Throughput	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Complex Designs	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Ease of Use	★★★★★	★★★★★
Pros	Low-cost consumer machines and materials Fast and easy for simple, small parts	Great value High accuracy Smooth surface finish Fast printing speeds Range of functional applications
Cons	Low accuracy Low details Limited design compatibility	Sensitive to long exposure to UV light
Applications	Low-cost rapid prototyping Basic proof-of-concept models	Functional prototyping Patterns, molds, and tooling Dental applications Jewelry prototyping and casting Modelmaking
Price	Budget printers and 3D printer kits start at a few hundred dollars. Higher quality mid-range desktop printers start around $2,000, and industrial systems are available from $15,000.	Professional desktop printers start at $3,750, large-format benchtop printers at $11,000, and large-scale industrial machines are available from $80,000.
Print Volume	Up to 300 x 300 x 600 mm (desktop and benchtop 3D printers)	Up to 300 x 335 x 200 mm (desktop and benchtop 3D printers)
Materials	Standard thermoplastics, such as ABS, PLA, and their various blends.	Varieties of resin (thermosetting plastics). Standard, engineering (ABS-like, PP-like, flexible, heat-resistant), castable, dental, and medical (biocompatible).
Training	Minor training on build setup, machine operation, and finishing; moderate training on maintenance.	Plug and play. Minor training on build setup, maintenance, machine operation, and finishing.
Facility Requirements	Air-conditioned environment or preferably custom ventilation for desktop machines.	Desktop machines are suitable for an office environment.
Ancillary Equipment	Support removal system for machines with soluble supports (optionally automated), finishing tools.	Washing station and post-curing station (both can be automated), finishing tools.

After comparing the two technologies, we can conclude that FDM and SLA printers both have similar, often complementary features. But the two types of 3D printers are not always competing; many businesses use both as FDM and SLA 3D printers alongside one another. This can mean the best of both worlds: low-cost rapid prototyping coupled with high quality, functional parts for a wider range of applications.

A few practical examples:

In product development, FDM parts, or SLA printing with Draft Resin are both ideal for basic proof of concept models and rapid iterations. As a project moves forward in the development, SLA 3D printing is ideal for detailed concept models or functional prototypes might require better quality and materials with different properties.
Both FDM and SLA 3D printing are commonly used in manufacturing to create jigs, fixtures, and other tooling. FDM is better for large, simple parts, while SLA is a better solution for complex jigs, highly accurate tooling, and molds.
The education industry has seen success in deploying both FDM and SLA machines. Many education institutions start with FDM printing as its low cost is ideal for students who need quick drafts and some hands-on experience with the technology. SLA is the preferred choice for many technical schools, universities, research institutes, and in dental and jewelry education due to the higher quality and wider range of applications.

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) uses a fleet of 12 SLA 3D printers for most engineering and manufacturing applications and reserve five industrial FDM printers for larger parts.

Download our white paper for a detailed overview of SLA ecosystems and the step-by-step 3D printing workflow.

Curious to see the SLA quality firsthand? Pick from our list of applications and request a complimentary sample part to find a material that meets the requirements for your project.

Request a Free Sample Part

FDM 3D printing technology

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most common 3D printing technology in the world. With its help, both cheap home printers and industrial high-precision 3D printing systems grow products. The principle of building according to FDM technology lies in the layer-by-layer growth of a product from a pre-melted plastic thread.

How it works
Printing examples
Accuracy
Choosing a 3D printer

How it works
Printing examples
Construction accuracy
Choosing a 3D printer

What is better to print: large products that must have reliable mechanical properties (strength, wear resistance).

Advantages: strong wear resistant products, low material cost, high post-processing capabilities.

Alternative: MJM and PolyJet technologies, which with the help of special materials (ABS imitation) provide higher accuracy and surface quality of finished products (at a higher cost of printing).

What is better to print: large products that must have reliable mechanical properties (strength, wear resistance, flexibility).

Advantages: strong wear resistant products, low material cost, high post-processing capabilities.

Alternative: MJM and PolyJet technologies, which with the help of special materials (ABS imitation) provide higher accuracy and surface quality of finished products (at a higher printing cost).

How it works

The 3D model in STL format is transferred to the 3D printer software. The program automatically (or the operator manually) places the model in the virtual space of the working chamber. Then the program automatically generates elements of auxiliary structures (from a special support material) and calculates the amount of consumables, as well as the prototype growing time. Before starting the printing process, the model is automatically divided into horizontal layers and the paths of the print head are calculated.

Then the direct 3D printing process starts: a heating head with dies (extruder) melts a thin plastic thread (fishing line) and lays it in layers according to the data of the mathematical 3D model.

After completion of the product building process, auxiliary structures are removed (manually or dissolved in a special solution). The finished product can be used in printed form or subjected to any post-processing method.

How it works

Then the direct 3D printing process starts: a heating head with dies (extruder) melts a thin plastic thread (fishing line) and lays it in layers according to the data of the mathematical 3D model.

FDM Product Examples

Prototype air intake, ABS

Part of the engine cover

Master-model of dynamics, PLA

Prototype for tests, Ultem 9085

Copping for reverse engineering, ABS

Part of the case with support, ABS

of the airborne recruiter, prototype of the airborne collection. ABS

Motor housing part

Speaker master model, PLA

Test prototype, ULTEM 9085

Reverse engineering housing copy, ABS

Housing part with support, ABS

Building accuracy

The accuracy of building models using FDM technology largely depends on the thickness of the printed layer. This value can be from 0.127 to 1 mm. The surface of finished objects is usually slightly ribbed (stepped - within 0.1-1 mm). The ribbing is due to the fact that the molten thread has a rounded shape. To give additional smoothness to the surface, you can use post-processing.

Building accuracy

3D printers operating using FDM

Stratasys F370

Total-Z Anyform 650 Pro

Stratasys F370

9000

TOTAL-Z ANYFORM How it works.

Hello everyone, 3DTool is with you!

In this article on 3D printing, we will look at the basic principles of FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technology. Let's deal with the basic mechanics of this process. Its advantages and limitations.

FDM technology

Overlay printing (FDM) is an additive manufacturing process that is realized through the extrusion of materials. In FDM, an object is built by applying molten material according to a predetermined algorithm, layer by layer. The materials used are thermoplastic polymers and are filament-shaped.

FDM is the most widely used 3D printing technology. FDM printers are on the market in a wide variety. It's basically the first technology people come across when they start working with 3D. The following will introduce the basic principles and key aspects of this printing method.

An engineer who designs a 3D model should take into account the possibilities of technology when manufacturing a part with FDM, this knowledge will help him achieve the best result.

Process FDM printing

Here is how the FDM process works:

A spool of thermoplastic filament is loaded into the printer. Once the nozzle reaches the required temperature, the filament is fed into the extruder and into the nozzle where it is melted.

The extruder is attached to a 3-axis system that allows it to move in the X, Y and Z directions. The molten material is extruded in thin filaments and melted in layers at predetermined locations where it then cools and solidifies. Sometimes the cooling of the material is accelerated by the use of fans attached to the extruder.

The extruder requires several passes to fill the printable area. When the layer is finished, the platform moves down (or, as in some printer models, the extruder moves up), and a new layer is welded onto the already set one. This process is repeated until the entire model is printed.

FDM printer specifications

Most FDM systems allow you to adjust several parameters of the printing process. Such as nozzle temperature, platforms, print speed, layer height and cooling fan speed. These are usually set by the printer operator and do not bother the modeler.

What is important from a modeling standpoint is to consider the size of the table and the layer height of the part itself:

The standard printable area of a desktop 3D printer is usually 200 x 200 x 200 mm, while for industrial machines it can be up to 1000 x 1000 x 1000 mm. If a desktop 3D printer is preferable (e.g. for cost reasons), the large model can be broken down into smaller pieces and then reassembled/glued together.

The typical layer height used in FDM varies from 50 to 400 microns and can be determined during the software slicing step. A lower layer height will provide a smoother detail and more accurately represent complex geometry, while a higher layer height will print the part faster and at a lower cost. The layer height of 150-200 microns is optimal in terms of the ratio of printing time and its quality.

Part deformation

Warp is one of the most common defects in the FDM printing process. Some plastics shrink during cooling after extrusion. Since different regions cool at different rates, their dimensions can also change at different rates. Differential cooling causes an accumulation of internal stresses that pull the layer, the one from the bottom - up, deforming it, as shown in the figure below. From a technical point of view, deformation can be prevented by more careful control of the temperature of the platform and the chamber as a whole. By increasing the adhesion between the part and the platform.

The modeler can also reduce the chance of peeling and other warp-related defects:

Large flat areas (such as a rectangular box) are more prone to deformation and should be avoided if possible.

Thin protruding elements (for example, battlements, spiers) are also prone to deformation. In this case, it can be avoided by adding some support material around the edge of the thin element (for example, a 200 micron thick rectangle) to increase the contact area.

Sharp corners deform more often than rounded shapes, so smoothing the corners slightly can achieve a good result.

Different plastics are more susceptible to deformation: ABS is generally more sensitive to this factor than PLA or PETG due to its higher glass transition temperature and relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion.

Adhesion between layers

Good adhesion between layers is very important for an FDM printed part. As the molten plastic is extruded through the nozzle, it is pressed against the previous layer. High temperature and pressure remelt the surface of the previous layer and allow the new layer to bond with the old one.

The strength of the bond between different layers is always lower than the basic strength of the material.

This means that FDM parts are inherently anisotropic: their Z strength is always less than their X/Y strength. For this reason, it is important to keep the orientation of parts in mind when designing.

For example, tensile test specimens printed horizontally with ABS at 50% infill were compared with test specimens printed vertically and found to have nearly 4 times higher tensile strength in the X, Y axis compared to the Z axis ( 17.0 MPa compared to 4.4 MPa). Such a part is stretched to failure, almost 10 times more (4.8% compared to 0.5%).

Moreover, since the molten material is pressed against the previous layer, its shape is deformed to an oval. This means that parts will always have a wavy surface, even at low layer heights, and that small features, such as small holes, may need post-printing post-processing.

Supports

The support structure is essential for creating tab geometries. Because plastic cannot be applied to air, some geometries require a support structure.

Surfaces printed with supports are usually of lower quality than the rest of the part. For this reason, it is recommended that the part be modeled in such a way as to minimize the need for support.

Supports are usually printed from the same material as the part. There are also special materials that dissolve in a liquid, but they are mostly used in high-end desktop or industrial 3D printers. Printing on soluble supports greatly improves the surface quality of the part, but increases the overall cost of printing because a special printer with two print heads is required and because the cost of soluble material is relatively high.

Filling and shell thickness

FDM parts are usually not printed full in order to reduce printing time and save material. Instead, the outer perimeter is made with several passes, it is called a shell, and the inner part is filled with a low density structure called infill.

The filling and thickness of the body greatly affect the strength of the part. For desktop FDM printers, 25% infill density and 1mm body thickness are mostly suitable. Usually, these are the standard settings for fast printing and a good compromise between strength and speed.

Above you see the internal geometry of parts with different degrees of filling

FDM Essential Consumables

One of the strengths of FDM printing is the wide range of materials available. They can range from conventional plastics (such as PLA and ABS) to engineering plastics (such as TPU and PETG) and high strength materials (such as PEEK).

Below is a pyramid of materials most available in FDM printing.

The material used directly affects the mechanical properties and accuracy of printing, as well as its price. The most common FDM printing materials are listed below. We will also consider the pros and cons of certain plastics. An overview of the main differences between PLA and ABS, and a detailed comparison of all common types of filament is a very extensive topic and can be found in special articles on the Internet and on thematic forums.

ABS

pros

· Durability

Good temperature resistance

Minuses

Shrinks when printed

PLA

pros

Excellent visual quality

Easy to print

· Unharmful. May come into contact with food

Minuses

· Low impact strength

· Longevity

Nylon

pros

· Very high strength

Excellent wear and chemical resistance

Minuses

· Actively absorbs water

PET-G

pros

· Unharmful. May come into contact with food

Sufficiently strong

Minuses

Capable of precise temperature print settings

TPU

pros

· Very flexible

Minuses

Printing accuracy is very difficult to achieve

PE EK

pros

· Extremely durable and lightweight

Excellent flame retardant and chemical resistance

Minus

· High price

Need a specialized 3D printer whose extruder is capable of reaching temperatures above 300C

Postprocessing

FDM parts can be processed to high standards. When using various methods such as: sanding, polishing, priming, painting, cold welding, acetone bath (to smooth the surface and create a glossy surface), epoxy coating and plating.

Advantages and disadvantages of FDM printing

· FDM printing is the most economical way to produce custom thermoplastic parts and prototypes.

· FDM printing lead time is acceptable. The technology is quite affordable these days.

Wide range of materials suitable for both prototyping and some non-commercial functional applications.

FDM printing has the lowest dimensional accuracy and resolution compared to other 3D printing technologies, so it is not suitable for models with complex geometry and fine details

The final product will have visible layer lines, so post-processing is required for a better look

Layer adhesion mechanism makes FDM printed parts anisotropic

Highlights

· With FDM printing, prototypes and functional parts can be produced quickly and at a low cost.

What is fdm 3d printer

FDM 3D printing - Fused Deposition Modeling also know as FFF

What is FDM printing?

How does FDM 3D printing work?

What is FDM 3D printing used for?

Prototyping

What are the advantages of FDM 3D printing?

Easy handling

Cost efficient

Flexibility in material choice

Less post-processing

How do you find the best FDM 3D printer?

Build volume

Printable materials

Technical specifications

Service

What is the future of FDM 3D printing?

FDM 3D printing will stay a leading technology

More and more businesses will be able to adopt FDM printing

New materials will be developed

FDM printing is here to stay

Compare Filament and Resin 3D Printers

FDM 3D printing technology

How it works

How it works

FDM Product Examples

Building accuracy

Building accuracy

Stratasys F370

Total-Z Anyform 650 Pro

Stratasys F370

TOTAL-Z ANYFORM How it works.

Learn more