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  • METHODS AND MATERIALS
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  • 3D Printing
    • Introduction to 3D Printing
      • Design for 3D Printing
    • FDM
      • FDM 3D Print Farm
      • Modelling for FDM
      • Bambu Studio Quick Start
      • General Slicing Settings
      • 3DPrinterOS Quick Start
    • SLA
      • SLA 3D Print Farm
      • Preform Quick Start
  • Laser Cutting
    • Laser Cutting Guide
      • Quick Start Guide
      • Materials
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      • Creating a Contour Model
      • Post-Processing Timber & MDF
  • Metal Laser Cutting
    • Metal Laser Cutting Guide
      • Quick Start Guide
      • Machine
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      • Post-Processing Metal
  • CNC Machining
    • CNC Routing
      • Quick Start Guide
      • Machine
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      • Troubleshooting
      • 2-Axis Milling
      • 3-Axis Milling
      • Creating a Timber Site Model
    • Incremental Sheet Forming(ISF)
      • ISF Guide
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  1. 3D Printing

FDM

Fused Deposition Modelling

Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is a material-extrusion-based additive manufacturing process. Objects are built layer by layer, following a software-generated path. It is the primary 3D printing technology employed at the Fab Lab.

A solid, thermoplastic filament (most commonly ABS, PETG, and PLA) is heated to a melting point (usually between 180° and 220°, and fed through a small nozzle (most commonly 0.4mm in diameter).

The nozzle follows paths that are generated in slicing software (such as Bambu Studio). This software is also used to generate the necessary support structure and infill to ensure that the object is printed accurately.

This is the primary method of 3D Printing employed at the FabLab.

Advantages of FDM

Disadvantages of FDM

  1. FDM is the most cost-effective way of producing custom thermoplastic parts and prototypes. 

  2. The lead times of FDM are short (as fast as next-day delivery), due to the high availability of the technology. 

  3. A wide range of thermoplastic materials are available, suitable for both prototyping and some non-commercial functional applications. 

  1. FDM has the lowest dimensional accuracy and resolution compared to other 3D printing technologies, so it is not suitable for parts with intricate details. 

  2. FDM parts are likely to have visible layer lines, so post-processing is required for a smooth finish. 

  3. The layer adhesion mechanism makes FDM parts inherently anisotropic. 

Service

Machine

Use

3D Print Farm

Submit your prepared files for printing.

Bambu X1C

-Fast + High Quality 3D Printing with limited material choice.

Open Access

Hands on access to the machines and workflow.

Prusa Family

-Experimental Materials -Experimental Workflows

Last updated 16 days ago

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