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Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Service

High Quality Large Format FDM 3D Printing
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Materials
Applications and Benefits
Sizes and Tolerances
About FDM
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What is FDM 3D Printing?

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technology widely known for its speed, accuracy, and competitive cost. FDM machines precisely extrude melted material to create a part. FDM parts can be made in as fast as one day.


Xometry's FDM 3D printing service offers large build volumes up to 24″ x 36″ x 36″ on Stratasys Fortus platforms. FDM 3D printing offers the largest variety of colors and selection of production-grade thermoplastics of any 3D printing process. Material range from general-purpose ABS or ASA to high performing polycarbonate and heat resistant ULTEM.

Fused Deposition Modeling FDM Stratasys Fortus 450 and Fortus 900 3D printing service

Fused Deposition Modeling 3D Printing Materials

Fortus FDM Materials Available at Xometry:
Material NameColor(s)Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)HDT @ 66 psi (°C)Data Sheets
Material Name

ABS-M30

Color(s)

Black, Blue, Dark Grey, Ivory, Red, White

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

32 MPa-28 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

7%-2%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

96 °C

Data Sheets

ABS-M30 Data Sheet

Material Name

ABS-ESD7

Color(s)

Black (electrostatic dissipative properties)

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

36 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

3%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

96 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

ABSi

Color(s)

Translucent Natural, Translucent Amber, Translucent Red

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

37 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

4.4%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

86 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

ASA

Color(s)

Black, Dark Blue, Dark Gray, Light Gray, Green, Ivory, Orange, Red, White, Yellow

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

27 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

9%-3%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

98 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

Nylon 12

Color(s)

Black

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

49.3 MPa-41.8 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

30%-6.5%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

91.9 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

PC-ABS

Color(s)

Black

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

41 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

6%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

110 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

PC

Color(s)

White

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

57 MPa-42 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

4.8%-2.5%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

138 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

PC-ISO

Color(s)

Translucent Natural, White

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

57 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

4%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

133 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

PPSF

Color(s)

Tan

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

55 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

3%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

189 °C @ 264 psi

Data Sheets
Material Name

Prototyping PLA

Color(s)

Black, Blue, Red, White

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

50 MPa-37 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

2.9%-1.9%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

55 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

ULTEM 9085

Color(s)

Black, Tan

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

47 MPa-33 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

5.8%-2.2%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

153 °C

Data Sheets
Material Name

ULTEM 1010

Color(s)

Amber (Natural)

Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa)

64 MPa-41 MPa

Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%)

3.3%-2.0%

HDT @ 66 psi (°C)

216 °C

Data Sheets

Prototyping PLA

We’ve expanded our available materials to include Prototyping PLA, a low-cost, rigid thermoplastic produced via Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) using an array of desktop 3D printers.  PLA comes in four colors: black, red, white, and blue. PLA is great for developing concept models or low-wear indoor products.


Because of lower overhead and material costs, PLA is typically less than half the price of our other FDM options. In exchange, there are trades offs with a lower heat-deflection (130°F compared to 186-420°F), lower print volume (~9” max dimension compared to 36”), and fewer plastic options. Keeping that in mind, PLA prints have clean finishes, vibrant colors, and quick lead times.

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    Available Finishes for FDM Parts

    Standard

    FDM parts are built with support material that is removed during post-processing. The part surfaces are left with fine layer lines.

    Custom

    Xometry can provide additional processing such as painting or vapor smoothing to meet your needs.

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    Ready to get started on your 3D printing quote?

    Free shipping available for domestic 3D printing orders ; learn more!

    Video: Quick Tips: FDM 3D Printing

    Greg Paulsen, our Director of Application Engineering, gives a brief overview of FDM 3D Printing.

    FDM Applications

    Concept models

    Concept Models

    The speed and versatility of FDM lets engineers create physical snapshots of their designs.

    Fast parts and fast shipping

    Rapid Prototyping

    An FDM machine can be used to create durable prototypes that withstand thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress.

    Manufacturing tools

    Manufacturing Tools

    High-performance materials make FDM ideal for producing jigs, fixtures, and production tooling.

    Benefits of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

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    Precision
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    We use the most advanced industrial FDM printers designed to meet tolerances of +/- a single build layer thickness (e.g. 0.010") for the first inch and +/- .002” for every inch thereafter.

    Strength
    3D printed strong bracket FDM 3D printing services

    FDM printed parts are available in a variety of high-performance plastics for applications that require resistance to the elements.

    Large Build
    FDM 3d print large part mail tray box

    Xometry can produce FDM parts with large build volumes up to 24″ x 36″ x 36″

    Rapid Turnaround
    3D printed FDM jig in ABS-M30 red with COTS handle

    FDM parts do not require tooling which reduces the manufacturing lead time from weeks to days.

    Real Thermoplastics
    FDM thermoplastic 3D printing varieties

    FDM has the highest variety of real engineered thermoplastics.

    Part Production
    Fused deposition modeling FDM production of parts in large format 3D printing build

    An FDM printer is capable of producing end-use parts on-demand, increasing throughput and helping you get to market faster.

    FDM General Tolerances

    General Tolerances for FDM 3D Printing
    Tolerance NoteDescription
    Tolerance Note

    General Tolerance

    Description

    +/- a single build layer thickness for the first inch and +/- .002” for every inch thereafter.

    Tolerance Note

    Build Size

    Description

    Up to 24" x 36" x 36"

    Tolerance Note

    Layer Height, less than 16"

    Description

    0.010" Layers (0.008" for PLA)

    Tolerance Note

    Layer Height, greater than 16" (up to 36")

    Description

    0.013" Layers

    Tolerance Note

    Minimum Wall Thickness

    Description

    0.047"(less than 16"), 0.060" (greater than 16")

    FDM 3D printed parts can be built up to 24" x 36" x 36". Stratasys Fortus 400/450-series machines will produce parts up to 16" and Stratasys Fortus 900MC or F900 platforms are used for parts larger than 16". Prototyping PLA is built on Prusa MK3S desktop FFF machines with a build volume of 9.8" x 8.3" x 8.3. General tolerances apply before secondary finishing or post-processing unless otherwise specified. To learn more tips about FDM 3D printing check out our Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Design Guide.

    FDM Infill Options

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    Solid

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    Light

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    Ultralight

    An Overview of the FDM Process

    How Fused Deposition Modeling Works

    With FDM technology, a spool of the chosen feedstock is introduced to a typical fused deposition modeling system via an extruder, which regulates the feed movement of the polymer to the heater where it melts. This molten polymer is extruded through a nozzle and deposited onto the print bed, also known as the build platform. The extruder, heater, and nozzle are all contained in a printhead which is attached to a gantry above the flat build platform. This is designed to offer relatively high freedom of motion in the X and Y axes as the material is deposited.


    The fused deposition modeling system uses innovative printer software to separate a 3D computer-aided design (CAD) file into individual slices, or cross-sections. Each slice in the file is converted into machine code, which essentially uses the Cartesian coordinate system to determine the path the printer head must follow across the X and Y axes to deposit the first layer of material onto the build platform. Once the bottom layer is complete, the build platform descends by a small amount – relative to the deposited layer thickness – and the printhead repeats the process to deposit the second layer. This procedure is repeated in sequential layers until the part is finished.

    Fused deposition modeling FDM 3D printing services

    Most FDM systems have a two-nozzle system that can selectively extrude sacrificial support structures as they part prints. Depending on the feedstock, this support may be soluble in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) bath, leaving only the printed part after processing. The support structure can also be removed manually without damaging the printed part.


    The benefits of this technique are manifold, particularly when it comes to the development of concept models and rapid prototypes for research and design (R&D) processes.

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      Why Use FDM For Your Parts?

      Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is among the most easily accessible and recognizable additive manufacturing technologies worldwide. Available to both 3D printing hobbyists and large-volume manufacturers alike, it is known for its speed and precision in generating three-dimensional polymeric structures using a choice of feedstock materials. The range of filaments available for fused deposition modeling include:

      Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS-M30, ABS-M30i, ABSi)

      Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA)

      Polycarbonates (PC, PC-ABS and PC-ISO)

      High-performance plastics (PPSF, Ultem 1010, Ultem 9085, and Nylon-12)


      Benefits Of Fused Deposition Modeling

      FDM printing is a cost-effective additive manufacturing process, especially for rapid prototyping or low-volume production. Since FDM prints require little post-processing and use more readily available materials, leads times from quote to print and delivery are fast.

        Fused Deposition Modeling Part

        Why Choose Xometry for FDM 3D Printing?

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        Endless Options

        Choose from millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.

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        Easy to Use

        Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.

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        Vetted Network

        We are ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485, and AS9100D certified. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.

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        Download the FDM design guide