FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
This glossary provides a quick reference for common FDM filament acronyms, their properties, vulnerabilities, and ideal use cases.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
Summary:
A biodegradable and relatively strong filament derived from renewable sources like corn starch. Easy to print with minimal warping and produces a smooth finish.
Vulnerabilities:
Brittle, low heat resistance, not suitable for functional parts under stress.
Best Use Case:
Prototypes, figurines, decorative items.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)
Summary:
A durable and versatile filament with good chemical resistance. More impact-resistant than PLA and offers better heat tolerance.
Vulnerabilities:
Requires higher printing temperatures compared to PLA, can be stringy if not dialed in correctly.
Best Use Case:
Functional parts, water bottle replacements, outdoor parts.
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)
Summary:
A flexible filament with rubber-like properties. Great for printing objects that need to bend or absorb impact.
Vulnerabilities:
flexibility, may require specific nozzle adjustments.
Best Use Case:
Gaskets, phone cases, footwear components.
PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol)
Summary:
A water-soluble support filament used for complex prints with overhangs or internal cavities. Dissolves easily in water after printing.
Vulnerabilities:
Highly water-soluble, not suitable for standalone prints.
Best Use Case:
Support structures for complex 3D prints.
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
Summary:
Not commonly used in filament form for 3D printing due to its high melting temperature and difficulty in adhering to layers. Primarily used for beverage bottles.
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)
Summary:
A strong and durable filament with good heat resistance. Known for its glossy finish.
Vulnerabilities:
Warps more than PLA or PETG, emits fumes during printing requiring ventilation.
Best Use Case:
Functional parts, prototypes requiring high heat resistance, LEGO-like bricks.
ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)
Summary:
Similar to ABS but with improved UV resistance, making it suitable for outdoor applications. Less prone to warping compared to ABS.
Vulnerabilities:
Requires an enclosed printing chamber for optimal results.
Best Use Case:
Outdoor parts, automotive components, items requiring UV resistance.
PA (Polyamide)
Summary:
Also known as Nylon, a versatile and high-strength filament with excellent abrasion resistance.
Vulnerabilities:
Requires higher printing temperatures and an enclosed chamber, hygroscopic properties (absorbs moisture from the air).
Best Use Case:
Functional parts requiring high strength and durability, gears, bearings.
Carbon/Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer
Summary:
Not a single filament but a composite where PLA, PETG, Nylon (PA) etc. are reinforced with carbon or glass fibers. This significantly improves strength, stiffness, and heat resistance of the base filament.
Vulnerabilities:
Requires a special nozzle due to abrasive nature of the fibers. Can be more difficult to print compared to the base filament.
Best Use Case:
Functional parts requiring high mechanical performance, lightweight and rigid parts like drone components.
FDM Printing in a Nutshell
FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, is a 3D printing process that creates objects by laying down thin layers of melted filament. A spool of filament is fed through a heated nozzle that extrudes the material onto a build platform. The printer follows a digital blueprint, building the object layer by layer until it’s complete.
FDM printing is a popular choice for hobbyists and professionals alike due to its versatility and affordability. It’s widely used for prototyping, creating functional parts, and manufacturing a vast array of objects.