Since the late 90’s, 3D printing which is also known as additive manufacturing has been a fast growing method to create prototype of products. 3D printing has been beneficial to various manufacturers and start ups to create affordable consumer goods.

3D printing can be a complex process for someone who does not understand the method and technology involved in running it. Although there are various methods of 3D printing but the easiest and most widely used of all is FDM technology.

In fused deposition modelling technology (FDM), a thermoplastic filament is used which is heated to a melting point and then extruded layer by layer to create a 3D object.
The process of using 3D machines is simple:

Pre-processing – FDM process begins in a build preparation programme where the software slices and positions the computer aided design files and finds a path to extrude thermoplastic and any necessary support material.

Production – FDM 3D printing machine heats the thermoplastic to a semi liquid state and deposits it in very small beads along the extrusion path. If support is needed, the 3D printer places a removable material that behaves like scaffolding.

Post-processing – Once the part of object is ready, the user removes the support material away or dissolves it in detergent and water, and the part is ready to use. The parts can also be sanded, painted or plated to make their function and appearance look better.

3D FDM which is an invention of Scott Crump, founder of Stratasys firm is the only professional technology that is clean, simple-to-use and can be easily utilized in any commercial space. FDM which is popular among a number of industries such as automotive and manufacturing firms makes use of STL file to process and create parts of object. There are 10 different type of thermoplastics used in FDM and the benefit of thermoplastic is that it can endure heat, chemical and mechanical stress which makes it the perfect material to create prototypes that must withstand testing.

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