Cookie Policy
Xometry stores cookies on your computer to provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. By using this website, you consent to the cookies we use and our Privacy Policy.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printing Service
High Quality Large Format FDM 3D Printing
Free Shipping on All US Orders
All uploads are secure and confidential.
Engineering Plastic Parts in as Fast as 1 Day
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing technology widely known for its speed, accuracy, and competitive cost. An FDM machine precisely extrudes melted plastic filament to create a part. FDM parts can be made in as fast as one day.
Xometry's Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing service offers large build volumes up to 24″ x 36″ x 36″ on Stratasys Fortus platforms. FDM 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 3D Printing Materials
Fortus FDM Materials Available at Xometry:
| Material Name | Color(s) | Tensile Strength, Yield (XZ MPa-ZX MPa) | Elongation at Break (XZ%-ZX%) | HDT @ 66 psi (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS-M30 | Black, Blue, Dark Grey, Ivory, Red, White | 32 MPa-28 MPa | 7%-2% | 96 °C |
| ABS-ESD7 | Black (electrostatic dissipative properties) | 36 MPa | 3% | 96 °C |
| ABSi | Translucent Natural, Translucent Amber, Translucent Red | 37 MPa | 4.4% | 86 °C |
| ASA | Black, Dark Blue, Dark Gray, Light Gray, Green, Ivory, Orange, Red, White, Yellow | 27 MPa | 9%-3% | 98 °C |
| PC-ABS | Black | 41 MPa | 6% | 110 °C |
| PC | White | 57 MPa-42 MPa | 4.8%-2.5% | 138 °C |
| PC-ISO | Translucent Natural, White | 57 MPa | 4% | 133 °C |
| ULTEM 9085 | Black, Tan | 47 MPa-33 MPa | 5.8%-2.2% | 153 °C |
| ULTEM 1010 | Amber (Natural) | 64 MPa-41 MPa | 3.3%-2.0% | 216 °C |
Additional materials are available upon request! Review more information about our materials here.
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 (i.e. painting or sanding) to meet your needs.
Ready to get started on your 3D printing quote?
Free shipping on all 3D printing orders
Applications for FDM
Concept Models
The speed and versatility of FDM lets engineers create physical snapshots of their designs.
Rapid Prototyping
FDM can be used to create durable prototypes that withstand thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress.
Manufacturing Tools
High-performance materials make FDM ideal for producing jigs, fixtures, and production tooling.
Benefits of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Precision
We use the most advanced industrial FDM 3D printers designed to meet tolerances of +/- 0.004” or +/- 0.002” per inch, whichever is greater.
Strength
FDM printed parts are available in a variety of high-performance plastics for applications that require resistance to the elements.
Large Build
Xometry can produce FDM parts with large build volumes up to 24″ x 36″ x 36″
Rapid Turnaround
FDM parts do not require tooling which reduces the manufacturing lead time from weeks to days.
Real Thermoplastics
FDM has the highest variety of real engineered thermoplastics.
Part Production
FDM 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
| Description | Parts Below 16" | Parts Above 16" |
|---|---|---|
| General Tolearance | XY Planes: +/- 0.004” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. Z Plane: +/- 0.010” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. | XY Planes: +/- 0.004” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. Z Plane: +/- 0.010” for the first inch is typical, plus +/- 0.002” for every inch thereafter. |
| Layer Height | 0.010" Layers | 0.013" Layers |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | 0.047" | 0.060" |
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 platforms are used for parts larger than 16". To learn more tips about FDM 3D printing check out our Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Design Guide.
An Overview of Fused Deposition Modeling
How Fused Deposition Modeling Works
With FDM, 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.
Many industrial FDM systems have a two-nozzle system which 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.
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 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.
Why Choose Xometry for FDM 3D Printing?
Endless Options
Choose from millions of possible combinations of materials, finishes, tolerances, markings, and certifications for your order.
Easy to Use
Get your parts delivered right to your door without the hassle of sourcing, project management, logistics, or shipping.
Vetted Network
We are ISO 9001:2015 certified and AS9100D compliant. Only the top shops that apply to become Suppliers make it through our qualification process.
