Build Difficult Parts from A Range of Materials with Fused Deposition Modeling

 

Complex parts can make prototyping or end-use production a bit more challenging. They cannot simply be made manually, especially if you require them for low to mid-volume production as that could result in inconsistencies with the quality of the finished product. Moreover, some processes like rapid tooling and CNC machining may not be able to accommodate the complex designs. In that case, you can turn to fused deposition modeling or FDM, a 3D printing technology that is versatile and capable of building parts from a range of high-quality materials.

 

How FDM 3D printing builds parts

 

With fused deposition modeling, you take an extruding plastic filament to be fed through a nozzle in the FDM 3D printer before it is laid on a build chamber layer per layer. This way, the process is able to realize complex geometries. That said, there are restrictions on the process, particularly with overhanging features. In that case, support material will be placed to keep those features in place, and it will be removed at post-processing.

 

Build parts from robust materials

 

Because of the wide range of materials available, fused deposition modeling or FDM is ideal for low volume production and building quick prototypes. Reputable service providers offer a wide range of materials from common production materials like PC and ABC to performance plastics like nylon and Ultem. This way, the process is more versatile for building functional bits, enclosures, and housings.

 

Be sure to work with the right company

 

When it comes to fused deposition modeling or FDM, it makes sense to work only with the right service provider with a team that can support your project. Since FDM crafts components one layer at a time from a filament, the material’s diameter will determine what can and cannot be printed. You need to make sure that the minimum wall thickness is as thick as the material, and if there are holes in your design, it must be bigger than intended for 3D printing, as FDM tends to make them two to four percent smaller. Reputable service providers will review your project for free and help you with your design.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tips On Choosing The Right Prototypes Plastic Parts For Your Need

  Are you building a  prototype plastic part ? It's crucial to pick asuitable material, but that process can become intimidating as different plastics vary in durability, aesthetics, and strength. Even when prototyping, you’ll want to produce a production-grade prototype that lets you evaluate your product's performance in the real world. Here are some tips to reduce your guesswork in choosing plastics for your prototype.   Consider these critical factors.   Know the purpose of your part and its mechanical functions. You should also consider your manufacturing processes, such as CNC machining, injection molding, or 3D printing. Moreover, determine the quantity, the cost, and the lead times.   Explore commonly used plastics   Reputable manufacturers constantly update their selection of plastics, but these are the most common types you can consider for your  prototype plastic part :   ·         Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS): This is a strong material w
Read more

Rapid Tooling: A Perfect Speed to Market Product Development Solution

One of the greatest challenges that product manufacturers and designers face today is finding ways to speed up time to market. With consumer demands leaning toward rapid product development, manufacturers and product designers feel the pressure of having to churn out products in the fastest time possible. Just the same, new product development still requires a prototyping stage in order to ensure the feasibility of the product design, including its general shape and form, assembly, and functionality. Thanks to new technology, rapid tooling methods are becoming increasingly commonplace, enabling manufacturers to reap the benefits of much faster methods to create prototypes, which in turn speeds up product testing, final production, as well as its release into the market at large. Rapid tooling offers faster lead times of mere days instead of weeks or months, just like conventional manufacturing ways. Five to ten days is already a stretch when trying to get at least 50 prototype
Read more

Different Types of 3D Printing Prototypes

Image
Additive manufacturing lets you build three-dimensional objects based on your digital drawing model. It creates a custom   3D printing prototype  by adding materials one layer at a time or by sintering or fusing powdered materials, depending on the method you use.   Technologies have come a long way and introduced more 3D printing methods to help you make prototypes quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively. Here are the most common types you may want to know. Stereolithography SLA 3D printing is among the oldest and most versatile additive manufacturing technologies. It builds the object layer by layer using a photocurable resin cured with an intense UV laser in the build platform. The result is a  3D printing prototype  with a good surface finish and optimum accuracy to the CAD. The process involves support structures to keep the material in place while printing, but these are removed afterward. This technology is ideal for making aesthetic models and bespoke or low-volume pr
Read more