FDM
Fused deposition modeling, or FDM 3D Printing, is a method of additive manufacturing where layers of materials are fused together in a pattern to create an object. The material is usually melted just past its glass transition temperature, and then extruded in a pattern next to or on top of the previous extrusion, creating an object layer by layer.
Our FDM manufacturing standards
We manufacture your parts according to strict manufacturing standards.
- A dimensional accuracy of ± 0.5% with a lower limit of ± 0.5 mm (± 0.020″).
- Consistent surface finish with no bumps or delamination. Marks left by retraction and layer changing are acceptable.
- All support material is removed such that the supported surface has a consistent finish.
- All parts are printed with 3 outline / perimeter shells or a wall thickness of 1.2 mm.
05+ years
experience
500+ projects
completed
31000+ hours
3D Printing
Materials we work with
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PLA
Polylactic Acid, commonly known as PLA, is one of the most popular materials used in desktop 3D printing. It is the default filament of choice for most extrusion-based 3D printers because it can be printed at a low temperature and does not require a heated bed. PLA is a great first material to use as you are learning about 3D printing because it is easy to print, very inexpensive, and creates parts that can be used for a wide variety of applications. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly filaments on the market today. Derived from crops such as corn and sugarcane, PLA is renewable and most importantly biodegradable. As a bonus, this also allows the plastic to give off a sweet aroma during printing.
Low Cost
Stiff and good strength
Good dimensional accuracy
Good shelf life
Low heat resistance
Can ooze & may need cooling fans
Filament can get brittle and break
Not suitable for outdoors (sunlight exposure)
ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) has a long history in the 3D printing world. This material was one of the first plastics to be used with industrial 3D printers. Many years later, ABS is still a very popular material thanks to its low cost and good mechanical properties. ABS is known for its toughness and impact resistance, allowing you to print durable parts that will hold up to extra usage and wear. LEGO building blocks are made from this material for that same reason! ABS also has a higher glass transition temperature, which means the material can withstand much higher temperatures before it begins to deform. This makes ABS a great choice for outdoor or high temperature applications. When printing with ABS, be sure to use an open space with good ventilation, as the material tends to have a slight odor. ABS also tends to contract quite a bit as it cools, so controlling the temperature of your build volume and the part inside can have major benefits.
Low Cost
Good impact and wear resistance
Less oozing and stringing gives models a smoother finish
Good heat resistance
Heavy warping
Needs heated bed or heated chamber
Produces a pungent odour while printing
Parts tend to shrink leading to dimensional inaccuracy
PETG
PETG is a Glycol Modified version of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is commonly used to manufacture water bottles. It is a semi-rigid material with good impact resistance, but it has a slightly softer surface which makes it prone to wear. The material also benefits from great thermal characteristics, allowing the plastic to cool efficiently with almost negligible warpage. There are several variations of this material in the market including PETG, PETE, and PETT. The tips in this article will apply to all of these PET-based filaments.
Glossy and smooth surface finish
Adheres well to the bed with negligible warping
Mostly odorless while printing
Poor bridging characteristics
Can produce thin hairs on the surface from stringing
Carbon Fiber PLA
Carbon fiber filaments use tiny fibers that are infused into a base material to improve the properties of that material. Several popular filaments can be bought with carbon fiber fill including PLA, PETG, Nylon, ABS, and Polycarbonate. These fibers are extremely strong and cause the filament to increase in strength and stiffness. This also means that the 3D printed parts will be much lighter and more dimensionally stable, as the fibers will help prevent shrinking of the part as it cools. Print settings, such as printing temperature, speed, bed adhesion, and extrusion rates will be very similar to the normal settings used for the base material that the fibers were added to (for example, the stock PLA settings would be a good starting point for PLA-based carbon fiber filament). However, due to the added fibers, these specialty materials are more likely to clog and can require special hardware to avoid damaging the printer.
Increased strength and stiffness
Very good dimensional stability
Lightweight
Abrasive and requires hardened steel nozzle
Increased oozing while printing
Increased brittleness of filament
Higher tendency to clog
Nylon
Nylon (a.k.a. Polyamide) is a popular material in the plastics industry, known for its toughness and flexibility. Nylon filaments typically require extruder temperatures near 250 ºC, however, some brands allow printing at temperatures as low as 220 ºC due to their chemical composition. Many printers do not include a hotend that can safely reach 250 ºC, so these lower-temperature versions can be useful and potentially save you from needing to upgrade your hotend. One big challenge with Nylon filaments is that they are hygroscopic, which means they readily absorb moisture from their surroundings. Printing Nylon after it has absorbed moisture will lead to several print quality issues, thus filament storage becomes very important and requires special attention.
Tough and partially flexible
High impact resistance
No unpleasant odor while printing
Good abrasion resistance
Prone to Warping
Air-tight storage required to prevent water absorption
Improperly dried filaments can cause printing defects
Not suitable for moist and humid environments
HIPS
HIPS, or High Impact Polystyrene, is a dissolvable support material that is commonly used with ABS. When being used as a support material, HIPS can be dissolved in d-Limonene, leaving your print free of any markings caused by support removal. HIPS has many of the same printing properties as ABS, making it a logical dual extrusion partner. Not only is HIPS great for supporting your ABS prints, it’s also more dimensionally stable and slightly lighter than ABS, making it a great choice for parts that would end up getting worn out or used in applications that can benefit from the lighter weight.
Low cost
Impact and water resistant
Lightweight
Dissolvable by d-Limonene
Heated bed required
Heated chamber recommended
High printing temperature
Ventilation required
PVA
PVA, or Polyvinyl Alcohol, is a soft and biodegradable polymer that is highly sensitive to moisture. When exposed to water, PVA will actually dissolve, which makes it a very useful support structure material for 3D printing. When printing extremely complex shapes or ones with partially enclosed cavities, PVA supports can be used and easily removed by dissolving in warm water. Standard supports may have been difficult to print or remove in these situations. PVA can also be used as a model material if there is a need to make quick prototypes.
Great water dissolvable support material
No special solvents required
No additional hardware required
Moisture sensitive
Airtight storage containers required
Greater chances of clogging if the nozzle is left hot when not extruding
Expensive
