FDM Prototypes
FDM is the three letter acronym for Fused Deposition Modeling. Like most other rapid prototyping processes, FDM works on an “additive” principle, laying down material in layers. A plastic wire is unwound from a coil and is fed through an extrusion nozzle which melts the material and deposits it while moving in the x-y plane. Once the layer is filled in, the z table drops down a preset distance (layer thickness) and another layer begins. Support material is added in a similar fashion from a nozzle directly adjacent to the model nozzle. Support material is washed away upon completion of the part.
A major advantage to FDM parts is that they are produced from an actual thermoplastic. 360 Engineering offers acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) in any color. Because FDM makes parts with real ABS plastic, they are much more functional than “ABS-like” resins and have a better thermal stability. Disadvantages to using the FDM process rather than SLA include slightly rougher surface finish and smaller detail resolution.
Post Process: Sand and Paint Red
Base color: White
Layer Thickness: 0.013”
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Cut away view showing sparse fill option available with FDM. Gives outer shell and honeycomb inner structure.
Base color: Black
Layer Thickness: 0.010”
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Before and After Support
Move mouse over image to the left to view before and after support materials washed away.
To receive a quote please email your STL files to:
quote@360prototyping.com or complete our online quote form.
Typical response time is within 1 hour but please allow up to 4 business hours for part quotes. For larger files please email for FTP instructions.