Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printers, also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) printers, are a type of 3D printer that work by creating three-dimensional objects layer by layer. Here’s how they work:
- Filament Material: FDM printers use a special type of thermoplastic filament, typically made of materials like PLA (Polylactic Acid), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), or other similar plastics. This filament is loaded into the printer.
- Heating the Nozzle: Inside the 3D printer, there is a nozzle that heats up to the melting point of the filament material. This nozzle is attached to a moving print head.
- Layer-by-Layer Printing: The 3D printer reads a digital 3D model of the object you want to create and slices it into very thin horizontal layers. It then starts printing the object layer by layer from the bottom up.
- Extrusion: As the print head moves along its predefined path for each layer, it pushes the heated filament material through the nozzle. The filament material softens and becomes liquid due to the heat.
- Depositing Material: The melted filament material is precisely deposited onto the build platform or the previously printed layer. It quickly cools down and solidifies, adhering to the previous layer.
- Repeat Layers: The printer repeats this process for each layer, gradually building up the object. The layers bond together as they cool, creating a strong and cohesive structure.
- Support Structures (if needed): For objects with overhangs or complex shapes, the printer may also create support structures made of the same filament material. These supports provide temporary scaffolding to ensure that the overhanging parts of the object are properly printed.
- Completion: Once all the layers have been printed, the 3D printer finishes the process. The object can then be removed from the build platform.
FDM 3D printing is popular due to its simplicity, accessibility, and relatively low cost. It is widely used for creating prototypes, functional parts, and even artistic creations. The choice of filament material and printer settings can influence the final quality and characteristics of the printed object.
