FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling

Fused deposition modeling, or FDM for short, is a special manufacturing process in which an object is produced layer by layer from a meltable plastic. Alongside the SLS process, it is currently the most widely used process in the field of plastic 3D printing. In this printing process, the desired object is produced by melting filaments. These filaments are rolled up in wire form on reels, heated and extruded through a nozzle. Layer by layer, the previously digitally defined object is created on a sinking bed. In the free-space process, the molten filament is placed precisely via the nozzle. The set thickness of the layers to be melted determines the optical quality of the finished 3D print. The thinner each layer, the finer the surface structure.

As FDM is a free-space process, more complex geometric shapes require support structures that must be created during the digital preparation of the print. These support structures are removed manually at the end of printing so that the item can be further refined as required. The polymer filaments are available in different colors. With 3D printers that have two or more nozzles, multi-colored objects can be printed. In addition to the comparatively slow production process, the poor connection between the individual layers is a frequent criticism of FDM technology.