Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Services

Unparalleled design freedom, large build sizes, fast lead times, and strong thermoplastic materials

Overview

Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing

Fused deposition modeling, or FDM, is a filament-based thermoplastic 3D printing technology that melts and extrudes material layer by layer onto a build plate to create a part.

FDM is the most common 3D printing process, offering efficiency, precision, cost benefits, and durable materials. It also offers the largest variety of materials and colors of any thermoplastic 3D printing process and a large build volume, making it a popular choice for rapid prototyping, production parts, tooling, fixtures, gauges, and much more.

FDM technology was developed by Scott Crump in the 1980s and was later commercialized by his company, Stratasys. It quickly gained popularity in the early 2010s due to its accessibility and low cost compared to other 3D printing technologies.

Advantages of FDM 3D Printing

Precision

Strength

Speed

Cost Savings

Expanded Design Freedom

Large Build Size

High-Quality Prototypes, Parts, Tooling, and More

Common FDM 3D Printing Applications

FDM 3D printing has a diverse range of applications across many industries.

FDM 3D Printing Materials

TypeNameDescriptionColor(s)MDS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Stratasys ABS-CF10Combines the benefits of ABS with the stiffness of carbon fiber, resulting in an engineering thermoplastic with superior strength and rigidity for factory floor tooling applications.
Black
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Stratasys ABS-ESD7An ABS thermoplastic with static dissipative properties for safe, cost-effective ESD performance.
Black
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Stratasys ABS-M30Stronger than standard ABS and ideal for concept modeling, functional prototyping, manufacturing tools, and end-use parts.
Black, Dark Gray, White, Ivory, Blue, Red
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Stratasys ABS-M30iA biocompatible material perfectly suited for medical, pharmaceutical, and food packaging applications.
Natural
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
Stratasys ABSiOffers superior strength to standard ABS, making it an ideal material for conceptual modeling and functional prototyping.
Translucent, Translucent Amber, Translucent Red
Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)
Stratasys ASAA production-grade thermoplastic available in a wide range of fade-resistant colors suitable for outdoor applications.
Black, Dark Gray, Light Gray, White, Ivory, Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Orange
Nylon/Polyamide (PA)
Markforged Onyx™A micro-carbon-fiber-filled nylon that yields accurate parts with a near-flawless surface finish. Few materials have the versatility of Onyx; it offers high strength, toughness, and chemical resistance when printed alone and can be reinforced with Continuous Fibers to yield aluminum-strength parts.
Black
Nylon/Polyamide (PA)
Stratasys Nylon 12A tough material with good impact resistance and high fatigue resistance, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including snap-fit closures.
Black
Nylon/Polyamide (PA)
Stratasys Nylon 12CFCombines Nylon 12 and chopped carbon fiber to achieve the highest flexural strength and stiffness-to-weight ratio of any FDM material.
Black
Polycarbonate (PC)
Stratasys PCOffers accuracy, durability, and stability, producing strong parts that can withstand functional testing.
White
Polycarbonate (PC)
Stratasys PC-ABSA high-impact engineering thermoplastic ideal for functional prototyping, tooling, and low-volume production.
Black
Polycarbonate (PC)
Stratasys PC-ISOA biocompatible, heat-resistant thermoplastic suitable for food packaging, medical, and pharmaceutical applications.
White
Polyetherimide (PE)
Stratasys ULTEM® 1010The strongest FDM material, offering the highest tensile strength, chemical resistance, and thermal resistance.
Natural
Polyetherimide (PE)
Stratasys ULTEM® 9085A high-performance material that features a high strength-to-weight ratio and high thermal and chemical resistance.
Natural, Black
Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK)
Stratasys Antero 800NAA PEKK-based material with excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and low outgassing characteristics.
Natural
Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK)
Stratasys Antero 840CN03A high-performance PEKK-based electrostatic dissipative (ESD) material that's strong and a lighter alternative to metal.
Black
Polylactic acid (PLA)
Prusa Polymers Prusament PLAOffers strength and heat resistance ideal for low-cost, quick rapid prototyping in a wide range of colors.
Black, White, Blue, Red
Polyphenylsulfone (PPSF/PPSU)
Stratasys PPSF/PPSUCombines high strength with heat and chemical resistance for demanding functional testing and production applications.
Natural
Sacrificial Tooling Material
Stratasys ST-130Engineered for sacrificial tooling applications for easy creation of hollow composite parts.
Black
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
Stratasys TPU 92AProvides the flexibility needed to prototype large, complex elastomer parts with stretch, abrasion, and tear resistance.
Black

FDM 3D Printing General Tolerances and Design Guidelines

Description
Notes
General tolerances and design guidelines apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified.
General tolerance
± a single build layer thickness for the first inch, and ± 0.002″ (0.0508 mm) for every inch (25.4 mm) thereafter
Build size
Up to 24″ x 36″ x 36″ (609.6 x 914.4 x 914.4 mm)
Layer height [less than 16″ (406.4 mm)]
0.010″ (0.254 mm) layers [0.008″ (0.2032 mm) for PLA]
Layer height [greater than 16″ (406.4 mm), up to 36″ (914.4 mm)]
0.013″ (0.3302 mm) layers
Minimum wall thickness
0.047″ (1.1938 mm) for parts less than 16″ (406.4 mm), 0.060″ (1.524 mm) for parts greater than 16″ (406.4 mm)

FDM 3D Printing Infill Options

FDM 3D printing infill options - solid

Solid Infill

FDM 3D printing infill options - light

Light Infill

FDM 3D printing infill options - ultralight

Ultra-Light Infill

FDM 3D Printing Gallery

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