Fused deposition modelling, or FDM for short, is a material extrusion method of additive manufacturing where materials are extruded through a nozzle and joined together to create 3D objects. In particular, the “standard” FDM process distinguishes itself from other material extrusion techniques, such as concrete and food 3D printing, by using thermoplastics as feedstock materials, usually in the forms of filaments or pellets.

A typical FDM 3D printer, therefore, takes a polymer-based filament and forces it through a heated nozzle, which melts the material and deposits it in 2D layers on the build platform. While still warm, these layers fuse with each other to eventually create a three-dimensional part. Scalability is one of the most significant advantages of FDM 3D printing. Unlike resin 3D printers, FDM printers can be easily scaled to any size because the only constraint is the movement of each gantry.

Print quality is not only about the looks. The mechanical performance also counts here, and FDM offers a great value for producing strong and durable functional parts, especially when compared to fragile resin 3D prints. FDM 3D printing is also very versatile because the print quality can be sacrificed in favour of speed and even sturdiness, making it an excellent tool for producing both pleasing aesthetic parts and more functional, tough ones. Though already mentioned, the flexibility and availability of different FDM materials also play an important role here. A single FDM 3D printer can produce parts with entirely different properties and appearances just by changing the type of filament.