3D printers
High quality 3D printers
What is Filament 3D Printing?
The filaments used in 3D printing are thermoplastics, which are plastics that melt when heated and solidify when cooled. The printer's extruder assembly moves as the filament is fed into a heating chamber, where it is heated to its melting temperature and then extruded through a metal nozzle, which follows a predefined path to build up the printed object layer by layer. Although many 3D printers have only one extruder, there are several dual-extruder versions that can print an object in different colors or with different types of filament.
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) or Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) are two terms used to describe the plastic filament printing process. A special feature of Fused Deposition Modeling is that complex geometries can be produced from well-known thermoplastic materials such as ABS, PC, PEEK and PA. In addition, it is possible to fabricate support structures for overhangs using a support material. The support material can then be dissolved downstream.
Known materials
Quick to your components
Wide range of applications
The Process of Fused Deposition Modeling
1. Data preparation
The appropriate 3D printer software is used to prepare the data. The software generates any necessary supports and creates the G-code. The prepared data is then transferred to the 3D printer and processed.
2. Ensuring material supply
Before printing can be started, the material supply must be checked. This step ensures that there is sufficient print material for the printing process.
3. Print
In the third step, the actual printing of the component takes place. During this process, the extruder traverses the cross-section of the component and deposits the material through the die. The process is repeated for each individual layer.
4. Support removal
Any necessary supports are then removed. Depending on the support material, the supports can be removed either by hand or in a water bath.
5. Further post-processing
The components can be further processed afterwards as desired and if necessary. The components can be painted or mechanically processed, for example.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Fused Deposition Modeling
- Easy to operate
- High complexity of components possible
- Short preparation times
- Fast manufacturing
- Well known materials
- Wide range of materials
- Somewhat rough surfaces
- Reworking may be necessary
- No high resolution
Applications
Aerospace
By manufacturing components from high-performance plastics such as ULTEM and PEEK, even the most demanding applications can be implemented. The Fused Deposition Modeling process allows you to process certified materials for aerospace applications.
Automotive
In the automotive industry, the Fused Filament Fabrication process is used in particular for prototyping. Prototype vehicles and pre-series models can be realized in a very short time. FDM also offers the possibility of printing large components.
Medical
The FDM process is increasingly being used both in apparatus engineering and in the production of implants. In addition, auxiliary elements and spare parts can be printed from certified materials.
Electronics
The use of ABS-ESD, a polymer of ABS with carbon nanotubes, provides excellent printing characteristics and outstanding ESD properties for use in critical applications requiring electrostatic discharge protection.
Consumer goods
Typical consumer products made with 3D filament printing include eyeglass frames, shoes (sandals, insoles, midsoles) and sporting goods. They take advantage of 3D filament printing for customization and optimization of product features.
Research and development
Cost-effective materials and short print times make filament 3D printing ideal for the iterative design process. 3D-printed prototypes can be used to visualize concepts or test the functionality of technical parts.
Industrial FDM 3D Printers
Industrial FGF 3D Printers
Industrial FFF 3D Printers
Industrial μAFP 3D Printers
Professional Desktop FFF 3D Printers
Advice
Our team of experts will be happy to support you in choosing the right 3D printing technology and in selecting the right 3D printing system.
Our application team also advises you on the choice of materials. Among other things, we can provide cost and time calculations as well as sample parts. In our showroom we have the possibility to validate the project together with you!
Johann Pfeifer
Account Manager