Fused Deposition Modeling(FDM)

Print your FDM parts with fast turnaround and wide variety of plastic materials as fast as 3-4 days!

Overview: How FDM 3D Printing Works?

The Basics of FDM 3D Printing

There are several different methods of 3D Printing, but the most widely used is a process known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM printers use a thermoplastic filament heated to its melting point and then extruded, layer by layer, to create a three-dimensional object.

3D printing basics
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Benefits of FDM 3D Printing

3D printing benefits
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  • FDM is the most cost-effective way of producing custom thermoplastic parts and prototypes.

  • The lead times of FDM are short (as fast as next-day delivery) due to the high availability of the technology.

  • A wide range of thermoplastic materials is available, suitable for both prototyping and some non-commercial functional applications.

Benefits of FDM 3D Printing With Unionfab

  • Unionfab has domestic FDM printers with performance similar to Stratasys, which can provide printing of PC, ASA, PEEK and other materials with excellent performance and low price.

  • We have 6 Stratasys F770 printers with a max build volume of 1000 x 610 x 610mm,20 FUNMAT HT printers with a max build volume of 260 x 260 x 260mm and 30 FUNMAT PRO 610HT printers with a max build volume of 610 x 508 x 508mm.

  • Unionfab has a professional team of engineers and production capacity to provide more diversified, efficient and cost-effective FDM 3D printing solutions for different application scenarios of industrial customers.

Features of FDM 3D Printing

Advantages

Material Selection

FDM printers supports almost all mainframe thermoplastics and even some reinforced compound materials like PA-CF.

Strength & Durability

High-performance plastics like PA/PC/ULTEM are ideal for applications that require resistance of certain aspects.

Accuracy

We use the most advanced industrial FDM 3D printers with tolerances of +/- 0.004” or +/- 0.002” per inch, whichever is greater.

Turnaround

FDM parts do not require tooling which reduces the manufacturing lead time from weeks to days, allowing for faster innovation and speed to market.

Geometry

With dissolvable supports(industrial-level only), interlocking and complex structures are easy to be achieved.

End Production

FDM is capable of producing end-use parts on-demand to boost your marketing by customization.

Drawbacks

Surface Quality

Extruding material layer-by-layer,the surface has layer lines and fine details cannot be realized.

Scale Effect

The unit cost and lead time will not be reduced as much as casted or molded parts.

Layer Adhesion

Parts have an anisotropy in the z-direction (vertical direction), and properties are weaker than base materials.

Design Guidelines: Fused Deposition Modeling(FDM)

  • Max Part Size
  • Print accuracy
  • Layer Thickness
  • Minimum Wall Thickness
  • Surface Finish Options
USMetric
Max Size35.98in. x 24.02in. x 35.98in.914mm x 610mm x 914mm

FDM Machines of Unionfab

Production Machines

ProcessNameNumbersProcess Size(mm)Detail
FDMFUNMAT-HT20260*260*2600 files
FUNMAT-PRO 610HT30610*508*5082 files
Stratasys-F77061000*610*6105 files

Post-Process Machines

ProcessNameNumbersProcess Size(mm)Detail
Sand-blastingSand blasting machine2400*800*5000 files
AnodizedAnodizing equipment2800*2000*5000 files
PolishChemical polishing line2600*1200*4000 files
Magnetic polishing machine260*60*600 files
PaintingPainting Line21000*2000*10000 files
ElectroplatingElectroplating line2600*1800*5000 files

Available Materials

Available Finishes

FDM parts are built with support material that is removed during post-processing. The part surfaces are left with fine layer lines.
available finish - defaults
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FDM 3D Printing Applications

Prototypes
FDM is ideal for producing form / fit and functional prototypes for testing in standard materials like PLA/ABS.
End Parts
The heat tolerance and great mechanical properties of industrial FDM materials let end parts like jigs, fixtures, brackets be produced directly.
Customized Products
FDM can be applied to make small batched products with varied requirements, ideal for small businesses that wishes to test the market’s reaction to their newly developed products.

Industries with FDM 3D Printing

Automotive
Aerospace
Dental
Medical
Consumer Products
Transportation
Education
Art and Fashion

Knowledge Base