FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
Definition: A popular 3D printing technology where thermoplastic filament is heated and extruded through a nozzle to build objects layer by layer.
Materials: Commonly uses PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, and other thermoplastics.
Process Steps:
Filament feeding
Heating and extrusion through a nozzle
Layer-by-layer deposition on a build platform
Cooling and solidification
Advantages:
Low cost
Easy to use
Wide material variety
Suitable for prototyping
Limitations:
Lower resolution compared to resin printing
Visible layer lines
Slower for large parts
Applications:
Prototypes
Functional parts
Educational models
Hobby projects