3D printing is one of the most advanced printing mechanisms of the production industry. Here, you use a three-dimensional CAD model and create the product based on it. We can also call it additive manufacturing as it involves adding one layer over the other until the product takes the final form. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is mostly used in all industries to create sophisticated parts. In this article, we are going to discuss all the advantages of FDM 3D printing.
A brief introduction to Fused Deposition Modelling
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is related to the material extrusion family. The machine does the modelling as the laser moves along the CAD model defined path. FDM 3D printers use thermoplastic polymers as the primary printing element. This element is present in the form of filament sheets. In this process, the machine uses heat to melt the filament and prepare it for the printing process. Slowly the nozzle starts moving and deposits the strands of the filament on the path that the CAD model will determine.
Major advantages of FDM 3D printing
There are several FDM 3D printing benefits which makes it the primary choice of all leading industries. A fully functional FDM printer will completely reform your production areas and help you to take a lead over all of your business competitors. Let’s take a look at some of the significant advantages of FDM 3D printing.
Variety of customisations
A human being is known for his innovative ideas and boundless imaginations. Sometimes, our imaginations get restricted by the tools we use and we have to make compromises in the final product. However, if you are using Fused Deposition Modeling, there is no limit to customizations. In simple terms, if you can imagine something then, FDM can print it. Additionally, in FDM, you don’t have to change the printing chamber with changing end products. This means that you can customize your products according to the demands of your customer without incurring any extra expenses. This is one of the major FDM 3D printing benefits.
Say Goodbye to all manufacturing complexities
Certain parts are difficult to make with physical manufacturing processes and completely impossible to make with bare hands. This problem is prevalent in industries that demand sophisticated parts with utmost perfection. A major example of one such industry is aerospace research. FDM helps to make all sophisticated parts with utmost perfection to ensure that they stand to the expectations of the end-user. Additionally, all the parts that FDM makes are lighter and more durable than any other competitor. Many prominent companies such as intel have shifted all the major manufacturing processes to FDM due to these advantages of FDM 3D printing.
A completely tool-less manufacturing process
A lot of tools are involved in all physical manufacturing processes. Here, you will require different tools for every step of manufacturing. However, with FDM, you just need a printer and the digital model for all of your manufacturing processes. Fused Deposition Modelling can adjust itself according to the different modes of the fabrication process. FDM will seem to be a very costly investment in the initial phase but the companies must not overlook all the FDM 3D printing benefits. With passing years, FDM will help any company to save a fortune in the production expenses.
FDM manufactures Environment-Friendly products
Rapidly growing industrialization has heavily blessed our lives but completely devastated the environmental cycle. FDM uses thermoplastic polymer to make most of the products and this is a special high-quality plastic. This polymer has high reusable abilities and is completely recyclable. Additionally, FDM uses 90% of the raw material and produces minimal waste. Thus, we can conclude that this is one of the best production processes s it poses almost no threat to the natural balance. FDM allows all companies to make any item locally thus, it saves a lot of expenses that would be lost in shipping.
Reasonable Pricing and Consumes less time
All the parts of FDM which include printer, ceramic, and thermoplastic are very economical and very helpful to small start-up businesses. Additionally, the replacement parts of FDM printers don’t require too much investment and are very easy to install. This is one of the major advantages of FDM 3D printing.
One of the major FDM 3D printing benefits is its time effectiveness. For instance, FDM is capable of printing simple objects in half a day and more complex objects in just under a day. So, it is one of the fastest production processes in the entire industrial sector. Many companies like Intel are shifting their entire product range to FDM.
Broad Range of materials
FDM uses a huge range of materials for printing. So, companies can change the material for printing very easily without harming the production expenses. Additionally, they can use multiple materials at the same time to create complex structures very easily. Thus, FDM is the most flexible form of 3D printing.
Easy to Learn
A survey suggests that FDM is one of the easiest to learn 3D printing technologies. There are various types of 3D printing techniques but people tend to pick up on this technique pretty fast and also carry it out easily. So, this technique is very useful to companies that have no or very limited experience in 3D printing.
Conclusive opinion on the advantages of FDM 3D printing
So, these advantages of the FDM 3D printing show that it is one of the most respectable manufacturing processes. Fused Deposition modeling is very essential for companies that have to manufacture sophisticated parts in bulk. Using FDM 3D printing, you can quickly supply high-quality products to all of your customers who are on a budget.
Although FDM is one of the best printing techniques, it is not yet perfect. Certain flaws need polishing. With advancing technology, we all can hope that it will slowly transform into the perfect printing process that every company has been dreaming of. Since the first introduction in 1990, FDM has completely revolutionized the manufacturing industry. The various advantages of FDM 3D printing have kept the industries rolling even in these times of COVID-19. So, the entire industrial sector will be forever indebted to the contributions of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM).