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Durable, Cost-Effective FDM 3D Printing Services

3D Printing Forge provides high quality FDM 3D printing service.

FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) is probably the most widely recognised 3D printing process. It uses plastic filament that is melted in a nozzle which gets deposited in the build volume as the nozzle moves around.

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The maximum print sizes for FDM prints are based on material: 

  • 350X350X350mm - PLA, PETG, TPU

  • 290X240X290 - ABS, ASA, Nylon, Polycarbonate​

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To order your parts today use our convenient quoting tool.

If the exact material or colour you need is not listed, don't hesitate to contact us directly.

We also provide multicolour and multimaterial FDM printing service.

When is best to use FDM printing?

FDM printing process is suitable for most parts. The main benefits of this process are: 

  • Low cost

  • Good selection of standard and specialist thermoplastics

  • Often parts can be designed so that no post processing is required (eg. support material)

  • Well suited for manufacturing parts in large quantities

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As a rule of thumb, if your part/product meets the criteria below, then FDM printing is likely to be a good option:

  • Parts do not have very small details

  • Layer lines are not an issue

  • Specific material is required​ for performance

  • Fast turnaround time required

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Alternatively, if your part has very small details and requires the best possible surface quality, then we also provide resin printing service.

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When FDM printing may not be optimal?

Although it is our recommended production method, it is not suitable for all parts.

Main factors that may make FDM printing process unsuitable are:

  • The part has very small details

  • The part is very small

  • Layer lines are not acceptable

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FDM process

This technology uses thermoplastic materials that get melted and extruded through a small nozzle. The nozzle moves around the build volume to deposit the material in layers. 

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Significant advantage of FDM process is the variety of available materials. Most standard thermoplastics used for injection moulding can be also be used in FDM printing.

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Parts printed using FDM have a distinct look as the layer lines are usually visible. Material choice and colour also play a key role in how the finished part will look like. It is possible to sand and paint the parts if you do not like the layer lines and prefer more smooth surface finish.​

Close up of a FDM 3D printer nozzle in action

Our standard material selection:

  • PLA

  • PETG

  • PETG Flame Retardant (V0)

  • ASA

  • PA (nylon)

  • PA-CF (Nylon with carbon fibre)

  • Polycarbonate 

  • TPU (flexible)

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Please refer to our materials page for more info about the materials.

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If the material you are looking for is not on our standard list, you can contact us directly as we are often able to source non-standard materials.

Pros

  • Wide material and colour selection

  • Standard thermoplastic materials

  • Cost effective

  • Suitable for production parts

  • Fast turnaround

  • Minimal post processing

  • Can print large parts

Cons

  • Cannot produce small detailed features

  • Visible layer lines

  • Material properties sometimes not as good as injection moulded parts

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