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FDM 3D printing - the most common 3D printing process
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing is also known as the FFF or FLM process and is often referred to as jet fusion or fusion layering. During the 3D printing FDM process, the plastic is melted and then applied layer by layer. The plastic is fed to the extruder in the form of filaments or rods. Here it is first melted. It is then applied to the printing bed, which is usually heated. The printed object adopts a structure defined in the CAD file.
FDM 3D printing is one of the best 3D printing processes to produce robust, dimensionally stable and durable parts. They are manufactured with the greatest possible reproducibility and precision. However, there are different versions of the 3D FDM printer.
What speaks for 3D printing in FDM
As one of the most popular 3D printing technologies, FDM 3D printing offers numerous advantages:
Excellent value for money
The number of materials that can be used is constantly growing
Scalability and parameterizability
Widespread and therefore constantly being further developed
Fast additive process, which is also suitable for rapid prototyping
Precise components thanks to the high accuracy of FDM 3D printing
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the fact that FDM 3D printing is ideal for models that are required as a single piece or in small series speaks in favor of FDM 3D printing. These are primarily used in function sets.
Different types of 3D FDM printers
If you want to buy an FDM 3D printer, you will be confronted with different variants. Different types of industrial 3D printers can produce different results. So not every FDM 3D printer is suitable for everything at the same time. The different types offered by the FDM printer industry differ in the following aspects:
print quality
reliability
speed
installation size
volume
fitness
Here is an overview of the 3 most important 3D FDM printers:
Cartesian FDM 3D printing
Cartesian FDM 3D printing is the most common FDM printer type. Cartesian machines are used 99% of the time in the industrial sector, with other variants being rather rare.
Cartesian printers are typically very inexpensive devices that are also available in kit form. Thanks to the Cartesian coordinate system and the three motors present, the printer can move forwards and backwards, left and right, but also up and down along the axes. The majority of industrial printers have this design. Cartesian 3D printing in FDM is ideal for beginners, but still offers stable results.
Delta FDM 3D printer
Such devices have a high movement speed and a large installation space. The print head can be moved left and right and up and down in three dimensions. Delta printers are also resizable. However, this does not affect their quality.
Polar 3D FDM print
Such printers can be operated with two motors. One motor is required for each axis for Cartesian and Delta printers.
FDM 3D printing with Multec
FDM 3D printing offers many advantages: from the number of materials that can be used to scalability and high precision. FDM 3D printing is particularly suitable for prototypes. We at Multec are experts in this field and can advise you in detail on your project.
If you have any questions about FDM 3D printing, contact us. We are looking forward to your contact.
In it you will find a lot of valuable information, from constructive tips and hints to the technological process to pressure parameters and strength values:
Three-dimensional printing has revolutionized work in various industries. However, the first 3D printers worked with a pure plastic filament, which is poorly or not at all suitable for use in many technical areas. The admixture of metal in a plastic filament now also allows metal printing and thus significantly increases the application possibilities of 3D printing. Find out more about 3D printing with metal at Multec .
How can I print metal with Multirap devices?
The metal 3D printers in our Multirap series work with different types of 3D printing filament. This is not in liquid form like the ink in a standard inkjet printer. Rather, the filament is on a roll that is inserted into the 3D printer and feeds the print head.
The filament is usually a pure plastic material that is melted in the print head and then applied in layers according to the specified construction plan to create the three-dimensional object.
Nothing changes from the basic principle when 3D printing with metal. Here, too, the filament is melted in the print head in order to be able to process it afterwards. However, 3D printing with metal does not melt the metal itself. The filament consists of 90 percent by weight of metal powder, the rest is the so-called binder polymer. The 3D printer for metal therefore does not have to reach the high temperatures required for molten metal. However, after completion, the resulting three-dimensional objects have a strength that cannot be achieved in any other way and are significantly heavier. In order to obtain metal-specific properties, debinding and sintering are required as additional work steps after printing.
Do I need a special device for metal 3D printing?
No, that is not necessary. Multec's Multirap 3D printers are equipped with print heads that can be fed with different types of filament. You can also use the metal 3D printer for 3D prints made of classic plastic filament without any problems. However, it is not possible to do multi-material 3D prints with metal filament. For example, if you want to 3D print a thread embedded in a plastic object, this can only be done in several work steps in the Multirap 3D printer. Because the 3D printing thread, unlike the pure plastic parts, has to go through further production steps after printing.
What is meant by debinding and sintering in connection with metal 3D printing?
As already described, the filament for 3D printing with metal still consists of 10% binder polymer. The three-dimensional printed object is therefore only 90% metallic. However, the printed, so-called green compact is not suitable for many areas of application and must go through further steps.
Only the subsequent sintering process gives the printed object the desired strength. Also depending on the material, the object is fired at a maximum of 1,360 degrees.
3D printing with metal from Multec
If you want to buy a 3D printer for metal, Multec is your competent partner. We provide you with the device and the filament required for 3D printing with metal. However, since the equipment required for debinding and sintering is only profitable at very high utilization, we offer these work steps as a service for our customers.
Do you have any further questions? Then you are welcome to contact .
Multec is represented in many corporations with Multirap 3D printers as well as in the service sector, which unfortunately cannot all be named. We would be happy to provide you with reference customers on request.
We would be happy to provide you with reference customers from your region who will tell you about their individual experiences and advantages with Multec and the Multirap production machines. We would also be happy to advise you personally on FFF technology, our production machines and on Multec as an application partner at our company headquarters in 88636 Illmensee (near Lake Constance).
The specialist magazine Additive Manufacturing from Verlag X-technik reports in detail in issue 10/2019 on the cost-, time- and weight-saving use of the Multirap M500 in equipment manufacturing. Download report here.
ZF-Passau: "By using additive manufacturing, we achieve significant improvements in throughput times in the production of operating resources.
Additional benefit lies in the significantly cheaper production and the low weight".
Below you will find a selection of satisfied Multec reference customers who are equipped with one or more Multirap production machines. We would like to expressly thank these customers for their permission to publish. We can name other groups, companies and research institutes from which we are currently applying for permission to publish, if the respective customer agrees.
The ZF Group produces in several plants
and several divisions with our large-capacity printers M500 and M800
Marc Engineering produces with 2 machines M800
dr Claus Waldmann Managing Director: "3D printing - universal and innovative, the solution for flexible implementation"
Mylcon Printing Services
Mylcon 3D printing
In den Blätteräcker 8, 73527 Hussenhofen Germany
Phone: +49 7171 1840569
Mail: This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on!
Sporter Metallbau GmbH
Sporter Metallbau GmbH
Printing services in Oberschnitting for the automotive industry, among others
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