FDM Printing
FDM printing (Fused Deposition Modeling) is one of the most widely used technologies in 3D printing and plays a central role for many hobbyists, engineers, students, designers and small business owners. The technology builds objects layer by layer by melting and extruding thermoplastic materials, making it flexible, cost-effective and reliable for a range of needs.
We have several FDM printers and can therefore offer our customers fast deliveries at prices that compete with large-scale production methods.
What is FDM printing?
FDM is based on heating a thermoplastic filament and extruding it through a nozzle, which then builds up layers of material on a build plate. The technology is appreciated for its ease of use and its many applications, which include:
- Hobby project: Create your own objects and decorative pieces.
- Prototype development: Rapid iterations and testing of designs.
- Education and training: Simple and understandable introduction to 3D printing.
- Small-scale production: Functional parts in small series.
- Large-scale production: FDM printers have become so fast in recent years that they can be used to mass produce parts.
Materials and their properties
The choice of materials in FDM plays a crucial role in meeting the specific requirements of the projects. is a brief overview of the most common materials for FDM printers:
- Carbon/glass fiber filled filaments - Reinforced for high strength and stiffness, used for advanced functional parts.
- PLA (Polylactic Acid) - Easy to print, environmentally friendly, used for prototypes and decorative objects.
- PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) - Impact resistant, moisture resistant, good for functional parts.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) - Heat resistant and strong, requires heated construction chamber.
- TPU/TPE (flexible materials) - Rubber-like, elastic, used for gaskets, protection and cushioning.
- Nylon (PA) - Very durable and flexible, used for industrial and mechanical parts.
Read more about all our materials in the article All about 3D Printing!
FDM printing: Easy to customize as needed
FDM technology offers a wide range of possibilities for different types of users:
- Hobbyists: Inspiring and affordable options for personal projects.
- Engineers: Detailed information on materials and applications.
- Students: Basic resources for learning.
- Small business owners: Solutions for prototyping or small-scale production.
- Manufacturer: FDM printers have become so fast in recent years that they can be used to mass produce parts.
Our services
At Rapid Prototyping Solutions we are experts in 3D printing and product development. We offer FDM services and multi-color printing, allowing us to meet a variety of needs in prototyping and small-scale production. We offer tailor-made solutions that are adapted to our customers' specific requirements, allowing them to realize their ideas in an efficient and cost-effective way. We also offer SLA printing. Read more about this here!
To order 3D prints, you can easily upload your CAD design on our website. Our system calculates the price based on your design, making the process both smooth and transparent.