Login

or
don't have an account?
back to glossary

FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)

maker

Fused Deposition Modeling, a 3D printing technology using thermoplastic filament.

expanded

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing technique that builds objects layer-by-layer using a continuous filament of thermoplastic material. The material is melted and extruded through a heated nozzle, which moves in both horizontal and vertical directions to form the object's layers. FDM is widely used for prototyping and production applications due to its ability to work with engineering-grade thermoplastics, offering a balance between cost-efficiency and material characteristics.

examples

Manufacturing an ABS prototype with a Zortrax M200.

Common in small to medium size manufacturing settings for low-volume production and rapid prototyping.

Creating a PLA model in architectural design using an Ultimaker S3, print volume 230 mm x 190 mm x 200 mm (9.1 in x 7.5 in x 7.9 in).

Frequently utilized in architectural firms for producing scale models due to the reliable dimensional accuracy of FDM prints.