Fused Deposition Modeling is an affordable and easy-to-use additive manufacturing technology. Combined with its cost-efficiency and short end-to-end lead times, this is a highly flexible 3D printing process with various materials available.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), produces parts from thermoplastics.
The key to the manufacturing process is a heated, movable nozzle and plastic filament. The plastic material is heated inside the nozzle above its melting temperature and then extruded on top of the previous printed layer. After extrusion, the material cools down and fuses with the existing layers. Through the repetition of this process, the plastic part is finally manufactured.
On the MakerVerse platform, FDM is typically used for rapid prototyping and functional prototyping, especially for visual and geometric assessments. In addition, it is also feasible to manufacture end-use parts with low-volume requirements. Specific use cases are jigs, fixtures, and parts for art, architecture, and model making.
FDM offers high-performance parts with high strength, toughness, impact resistance, and more.
The technology is also capable of printing flame-retardant parts. Parts made with these materials meet the high certification standards for specific industries, such as aerospace, rail, and electronics.
ULTEM 1010 and ULTEM 9085 are high-performance thermoplastics for FDM that are flame retardant.
Co-founder and CFO at nFrontier
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The plastic component is immersed in a dye bath, allowing the color to penetrate the material. This creates a uniform color appearance and improves surface scratch resistance.
Painting enhances the visual appearance of the part and can help evaluate design and surface quality during prototype validation.
Sanding smooths the surface and removes visible defects such as support marks or material blobs. The process depends on layer height and initial print quality.
An aqueous sealing solution closes the outer surface and fills small pores. Depending on geometry, the solution is applied manually or by dipping.
A chemical smoothing process dissolves the outer layer of the part, resulting in a significantly smoother surface and improved visual quality.
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ABS-ESD7 
ABS-M30 ABS-M30i ASA Onyx® PC PC-ABS ULTEM® 1010 ULTEM® 9085 ABS-ESD7 ABS-M30 ABS-M30i ASA Onyx®
Onyx is a micro carbon fiber filled nylon with excellent mechanical properties (strength, toughness) as well as chemical resistance.
Onyx is used in a variety of applications, both consumer and industrial. Its appearance and mechanical properties make it popular for end-use parts.
PC PC-ABS ULTEM® 1010 ULTEM® 9085 
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How does an innovative idea become a marketable product? A crucial phase lies between the initial concept and series production: rapid prototyping. This process allows for the early validation of design and functionality before significant investments are made in tooling. Instead of relying on costly corrections during series production, designers can achieve optimal results through iterative testing as early as the development phase. MakerVerse supports companies with a digital platform that provides access to all major manufacturing technologies – from 3D printing and CNC machining to injection molding.
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