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Fused deposition modelling remains one of the most popular techniques for 3D printing amongst hobbyists, AM bureaus and industrial manufacturing companies alike. In this tutorial, we\u2019ll take a closer look at the mechanics of the process and share some practical tips for getting the most out of your chosen materials and 3D printers.<\/p>\n
Fused deposition modelling\u00a0prints 3D objects by using a heated filament to manually build up layers of material. A thermoplastic material is heated to a semi-liquid state, after which an extrusion head builds the layers on a heated printing bed. To avoid any drooping during and after printing, water-soluble support materials are typically used, then removed later.<\/p>\n
The thermoplastics used in FDM are highly versatile and durable, allowing for a high level of accuracy and stability. Although printed parts created using FDM typically have quite a rough finish, a variety of post-processing techniques are available, so smoother finishes are quite achievable. A number of options for colouring are also available, including impregnating the material and painting or coating at the end of the printing process.<\/p>\n
FDM is a popular choice for prototyping projects, as functional parts can be created from the same materials that will be used for the final production versions. It is also used for low-volume production applications.<\/p>\n
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) has long been the most widely used FDM material for for both prototypes and production parts, thanks to its strength, temperature resistance and versatility. PLA is a close second, and is a good option for 3D models with lots of fine detail, although the finish parts will be quite brittle, so it is not necessarily suitable for functional parts. Polycarbonate (PC) and polyetherimide (PEI) are also popular choices. In particular, PC is the best FDM material to choose if mechanical strength is a major concern.<\/p>\n
One notable quality of certain FDM materials is that they are suitable for food, drink and medical applications. Good examples would be\u00a0PC-ISO,\u00a0PPSF\u00a0and\u00a0ULTEM 9085, although the various nylon filaments now available for FDM printing are rapidly increasing in popularity in this area.<\/p>\n
Regardless of the material you eventually choose and the specific model of printer you are utilising, there are a few practical things you can do to optimise their performance and get the best possible end result. Bear these points in mind as you prepare your 3D model for printing:<\/p>\n
Fused deposition modelling remains one of the most popular techniques for 3D printing amongst hobbyists, AM bureaus and industrial manufacturing companies alike. In this tutorial, we\u2019ll take a closer look at the mechanics of the process and share some practical tips for getting the most out of your chosen materials and 3D printers. What is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"kbtopic":[45],"kbtag":[126,80,403],"class_list":["post-164034","kb","type-kb","status-publish","hentry","kbtopic-tech","kbtag-3d-printing","kbtag-fdm","kbtag-technology"],"yoast_head":"\n