Hubs is now Protolabs Network. Find out more

Get instant quote

FDM 3D printing service

Source high-performing parts for rapid prototyping and low-volume industrial production with FDM 3D printing. We offer FDM for quick-turn manufacturing using a variety of robust materials for many use cases and can print parts in 1 day.

Get instant FDM quote

Manufacturing with FDM 3D printing

FDM (fused deposition modeling) 3D printing creates custom parts by heating and extruding thermoplastics layer-by-layer. You can use FDM for initial and functional prototyping and low volume production in a variety of strong plastic materials. While FDM is the most affordable 3D printing technology, it’s far more than a small-scale manufacturing solution. 3D printing with FDM means getting access to thermoplastics, including PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG and PEI, and a dimensional accuracy of ±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (0.0196”).

Learn more about FDM 3D printing

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) capabilities

FDM 3D printing has two distinct classes: prototyping (desktop) FDM and industrial FDM. These are the key capabilities of both technologies.

Maximum build size Standard lead time Dimensional accuracy Layer height Infill
Prototyping FDM 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68 in x 19.68 in x 19.68 in) From 2 business days ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm (0.0196 in) 100-300 μm 20-80%
Industrial FDM 406 x 355 x 406 mm* (15.98 x 13.97 x 15.98 in) 3 business days ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") 100-300 μm Ultra-light, Light, Solid

Materials available for FDM 3D printing

Examples of available materials for FDM 3D printing
Prototyping FDM materials

Ideal for fast and affordable rapid prototyping and modeling.



Prototyping PLA

Prototyping PETG

Prototyping ASA

Prototyping ABS

Prototyping TPU

Example of industrial materials available for FDM 3D printing
Industrial FDM materials

Ideal for higher-volume production and bigger parts with better mechanical properties.

Nylon: Markforged Onyx
PEI: ULTEM 9085, ULTEM 1010
ASA: Stratasys ASA
ABS: ABS M30, ABSplus

Comparing FDM to other 3D printing processes

Materials Price Dimensional accuracy Strengths Build volume Layer thickness Min. feature size
FDM 5 $ ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm Low cost, wide range of materials 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") 100-300μm 2.0 mm (0.0787’')
Industrial FDM 6 $$$$ ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") High level of repeatability, engineering grade materials 406 x 355 x 406 mm (15.98” x 13.97” x 15.98") 100-330μm 2.0 mm (0.0787’')
Prototyping SLA 8 $$ ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") Smooth surface finish, fine feature details 145 × 145 × 175 mm (5.7" x 5.7" x 6.8") 50-100μm 0.2 mm (0.00787’')
Industrial SLA 3 $$$ ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.13 mm (± 0.005") Smooth surface finish, fine feature details, big print area 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") 50-100μm 0.2 mm (0.00787’')
SLS 2 $$ ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012”) Design flexibility, supports not required 395 x 500 x 395 mm (15.53" x 19.68" x 15.53") 100μm 0.5 mm (0.0196”)
MJF 2 $$ ± 0.3% with a lower limit on ± 0.3 mm (0.012’') Design flexibility, supports not required 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9’’ x 11.2’’ x 14.9’') 80μm 0.5 mm (0.0196”)

We have high standards for FDM 3D printing

We manufacture your custom parts according to strict manufacturing standards and ensure all parts and processes adhere to The Protolabs Network Standard. A thorough verification of these requirements is included in our inspection report that we ship with every order.

  • Consistent surface finish with no bumps or delamination. Marks left by retraction and layer changing are acceptable.

  • All support material is removed so that the supported surface has a consistent finish.

  • All parts are printed with 3 outline / perimeter shells or a wall thickness of 1.2 mm.

Advantages and drawbacks of FDM 3D printing

Advantages of FDM printing
Advantages
  • FDM is the most cost-effective way to produce custom thermoplastic parts and prototypes.

  • Lead times are short (typically a few days).

  • A wide range of materials is available, suitable for prototyping and industrial applications.

Drawbacks of FDM process
Drawbacks
  • FDM is not suitable for parts with very small details due to its low resolution.

  • Parts are likely to have visible layer lines, so post-processing is required for a smooth finish.

  • The layer adhesion mechanism makes parts inherently anisotropic.

Design guidelines for FDM

The table summarizes the recommended and technically feasible values for the most common features encountered in FDM 3D printed parts.

Learn more about how to design parts for FDM 3D printing

Feature Recommended size
Unsupported walls 0.8 mm (0.0315 in)
Supported walls 0.8 mm (0.0315 in)
Minimum feature size 2.0 mm (0.0787 in)
Minimum hole diameter 2.0 mm (0.0787 in)

More resources for FDM 3D printing

Learn more about how FDM 3D printing works and how to design the best parts for this additive manufacturing technology.

Our other 3D printing processes

SLS 3D printed part in SLS process
SLS

Functional prototyping & low-run production

Dimensional accuracy of ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012")

See our SLS services
MJF 3D printed part in MJF process
MJF

Functional prototyping & low-run production

Dimensional accuracy of ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012")

See our MJF services
SLA 3D printed part in SLA process
SLA

Visual prototyping

Dimensional accuracy of ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012")

See our SLA services