FDM Insights | Sumble

What is FDM?

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is an additive manufacturing process that creates three-dimensional objects by selectively depositing melted material layer by layer. A plastic filament or metal wire is unwound from a coil and fed through a heated nozzle, melting the material. The nozzle is moved under computer control to deposit the melted material onto a build platform, where it cools and solidifies. FDM is commonly used for rapid prototyping, creating custom parts, and low-volume production due to its relative simplicity and affordability.

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What other technologies are related to FDM?

FDM Competitor Technologies

SLA

Stereolithography (SLA) is another 3D printing technology that competes with FDM by offering different material properties and resolution.

mentioned alongside FDM in 35% (880) of relevant job posts

SLS

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a powder-based 3D printing technology that competes with FDM, offering different material options and part properties.

mentioned alongside FDM in 42% (467) of relevant job posts

PolyJet

PolyJet is another 3D printing technology that competes with FDM by offering multi-material printing and smooth surface finishes.

mentioned alongside FDM in 76% (118) of relevant job posts

MJF

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a powder-based 3D printing technology that competes with FDM, offering different material options and part properties.

mentioned alongside FDM in 69% (87) of relevant job posts

DMLS

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is a metal 3D printing technology that competes with FDM in certain applications requiring metal parts.

mentioned alongside FDM in 39% (87) of relevant job posts

3D printing

3D printing is a category of technologies of which FDM is a subset, so is a competitor because other types of 3d printing exist.

mentioned alongside FDM in 1% (336) of relevant job posts

3D printers

3D printers is the general term for machines that utilize 3D printing, so all other types of 3D printers other than those using FDM are in competition.

mentioned alongside FDM in 2% (77) of relevant job posts

injection molding

Injection molding is a traditional manufacturing process that serves as an alternative to FDM for producing plastic parts, especially in high volumes.

mentioned alongside FDM in 1% (55) of relevant job posts