Fused Deposition Modeling
This technology offers real engineering thermoplastics building accurate, durable parts directly from CAD files. FDM produces parts that are tough enough to be used for conceptual models, functional prototypes, manufacturing tools, and production parts. Parts can be sanded, painted, drilled, coated, sealed, bolted, and drilled. FDM works on an “additive” principle by laying down material in layers.
A plastic filament or is unwound from a coil and supplies material to an extrusion nozzle which can turn on and off the flow. The nozzle is heated to melt the material and can be moved in both horizontal and vertical directions by a numerically controlled mechanism, directly controlled by a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software package. The model or part is produced by extruding small beads of thermoplastic material to form layers as the material hardens immediately after extrusion from the nozzle.
There is wide range of material available for this process like ABS, Polycarbonate, PC-ABS, Medical Grade, Flame/Smoke Toxicity Certified and Heat and Chemical Resistant. Achievable tolerances are +/- 0.005” or 0.001” per inch whichever is greater and multiple layer thicknesses starting at 0.007”.
