Pros and Cons of Fused Deposition Modeling
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one of the most popular 3D printing technologies for both prototyping and manufacturing. FDM printers use a thermoplastic filament that is heated and extruded through a nozzle to create a 3D object layer by layer. While this technology offers several advantages, it also has its fair share of limitations. In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of FDM printing and see how it compares to other 3D printing technologies. FDM in Minneapolis MN
Pros of Fused Deposition Modeling:
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Low Cost: FDM printers are relatively cheap compared to other 3D printers. You can find a decent FDM printer for under $300, making it an affordable option for home users, hobbyists, and small businesses. For manufacturing firms, this means you can afford a line of FDM printers to support your industry for relatively cheap compared to other 3D printing models.
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Wide Range of Materials: FDM printing supports a wide range of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, Nylon, TPU, and more. This versatility allows users to print objects with different properties, including flexibility, durability, strength, and more. If you were worried about being able to produce materials in the right colors, rest assured that FDM printers have access to a wide range of filament colors.
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Simple to Use: FDM printers are easy to use, even for beginners. They come with simple software and user-friendly interfaces that allow you to import your 3D models, slice them, and print them with a few clicks.
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Large Build Volume: Many FDM printers come with a large build volume, allowing you to print large objects without having to break them down into smaller parts. If you choose to purchase a fused deposition model printer with a large print bed, keep in mind that you can use this larger build space even for smaller prints by splitting up the print bed and producing multiple components at once.
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Fast Printing Speed: FDM printing is relatively fast compared to other 3D printing technologies, such as SLA and PolyJet. You can print objects in a matter of hours or days, depending on the size and complexity of the object. This means that for prototype testing or concept modeling you can move through ideas quickly, without being slowed down by the time it takes for a 3D printer to finish its job.
AdvancedTek can be your company for FDM in Minneapolis MN and your other printing needs!
Cons of Fused Deposition Modeling:
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Limited Resolution: FDM printing has limited resolution compared to other 3D printing technologies. The extruder nozzle size limits the level of detail you can achieve, and the layer lines are visible on the surface of the object, which can affect the aesthetic appeal of the final product. With a good post-processing system, you can improve this, but it will require an additional step in your production.
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Weak Layer Adhesion: FDM prints are prone to layer adhesion issues, which can cause warping, cracking, and other defects. This issue is more common with larger objects and can be mitigated by using a heated bed, proper adhesion techniques, and cooling the object during printing.
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Post-Processing Required: FDM prints require post-processing, such as sanding, painting, or smoothing, to achieve a polished finish. This extra step adds time and cost to the production process.
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Limited Precision: FDM printing has limited precision, which can affect the accuracy of the final product. While this may not be an issue for prototyping or low-tolerance parts, it can be problematic for high-precision applications.
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Limited Materials: While FDM printers support a wide range of materials, they are limited to thermoplastics and cannot print metal parts or other materials.
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How does Fused Deposition Modeling Compare to Other 3D Printing Technologies?
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SLA (Stereolithography): SLA printing uses a laser to solidify a liquid resin layer by layer. It offers higher resolution and smoother surface finishes than FDM printing but is more expensive and requires post-curing.
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PolyJet: PolyJet printing uses a printhead to deposit photopolymers that are cured with UV light. It offers high resolution, multi-material printing, and color capabilities but is more expensive than FDM printing.
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SAF (Selective Absorption Fusion): SAF printing uses a laser to selectively melt powder particles layer by layer. It offers high resolution, multi-material printing, and metal printing capabilities but is more expensive than FDM printing.
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Metal 3D Printers: Metal 3D printers use a metal deposition process to build up a 3D object layer by layer. The most common metal materials used in 3D printing are steel and aluminum, but other metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt and chromium can also be printed with this technology.
If you’re interested in a company with over 25 years in the business, AdvancedTek can help you achieve anything from Concept Modeling, Functional Prototypes, Manufacturing Tooling, End-User Parts, 3D printers, Post Processing, to Vacuum Forming, and more! We can even help you speed along your prototyping process with our 3D printing service. You can find out more about us by checking out our website here. If you are looking for a trusted company for FDM in Minneapolis MN, reach out to us at AdvancedTek today!