FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
Melts plastic filament and deposits it layer by layer. The most common consumer 3D printing method.
How it works
- Filament feeds into heated nozzle (hotend)
- Plastic melts and extrudes through nozzle
- Nozzle moves in X/Y, deposits material on bed
- Bed drops (or nozzle rises) in Z
- Repeat layer by layer
Pros
- Cheap machines and materials
- Wide material selection
- Easy to understand and troubleshoot
- Large build volumes possible
Cons
- Visible layer lines
- Weaker in Z direction (layer adhesion)
- Limited detail/resolution
- Supports leave marks
Key settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Layer height | Thinner = smoother but slower (0.1-0.3mm) |
| Infill | Internal structure density (10-100%) |
| Print speed | mm/s - faster = lower quality |
| Temperature | Nozzle and bed temps, material dependent |
| Retraction | Pulls filament back to prevent stringing |
When to use FDM
- Functional prototypes
- Large parts
- When cost matters
- Parts that need heat resistance (ABS, ASA)
When to use something else
- Need smooth surface → SLA/SLS
- Need fine detail → SLA
- Need strength in all directions → SLS