Turn filaments into industrial-strength parts, lead times from as fast as 2 days.
Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) is what most people think of when they think 3D Printing. It is one of the most cost-effective, most widely used and accessible form of additive manufacturing, but also the most misunderstood. Most people assume FDM is only used for very basic prototypes and models but industrial FDM 3D printed parts are also used in very intense aerospace and automotive prototyping and end-use applications.
FDM offers wide range of material options and uses affordable thermoplastic spools (like PLA) which makes it a great choice for rapid prototypes and low volume production.
At HLH Rapid, we use both desktop (prototyping) and industrial FDM printers. FDM builds parts layer by layer by heating and precisely extruding thermoplastic filament through a nozzle onto a build platform along paths generated from the sliced 3D CAD model. It can make parts with complex geometries as well as simple housings and fixtures.
| Maximum Build Size | 750 x 750 x 750 mm (29.5″ × 29.5″ × 29.5″) |
| Material | ULTEM™ 1010, 25+ materials |
| Layer Thickness | 0.05 – 0.30 mm (50 – 300 μm) |
| Tolerance | ±0.5% with a lower limit of ±0.5 mm (0.020″) |
| Quantity | 1 – 10,000+ parts |
| Lead Time | From 2 days |
Get a quote / Get in touch
Please use the following formats:
.stl, .obj, .wrl, .step (.stp), .iges (.igs), .3mf, .dxf and .zip
100mb max file size (per file)
If you have a file type not listed, please contact us to discuss first.
UK Office: Suite 11 & 12A, 44 Potternewton
Mount, Leeds, LS7 2DR, United Kingdom
Company Number: 12704810
VAT Number: GB393458263
Factory: Building A, Hongfa Industrial District
Houda Road, Daling Shan, Dongguan,
Guangdong, China
We offer a range of surface finishes to smooth and hide layer lines as well as improve the aesthetics and wearability of the final FDM part. View typical finishing options below with more custom post-processing available on request.
To achieve better part quality and dimensional accuracy, it is important that your 3D model closely follows a set of recommendations. See the FDM design guidelines below.
| Feature | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| Minimum Wall Thickness (Unsupported) | 1.2 mm (0.047 in) |
| Minimum Wall Thickness (Supported) | 1.0 mm (0.040 in) |
| Minimum Embossed and Engraved Details | Depth of 0.5 mm; Width of 0.5 mm (0.020 in) |
| Minimum Clearance (between moving/mating parts) | 0.5 mm (0.020 in) |
| Minimum Overhang Length | 1.2 mm (0.047 in) (up to 45°) |
| Minimum Escape Hole Diameter | Not required |
Large Build
At HLH, we have industrial FDM printers suitable for producing large parts up to 800 x 800 x 550 mm (31.5″ x 31.5″ x 21.6″).
Complex Geometries
Geometries that are too complex or costly for CNC machining can be printed easily, allowing you to add complexity without additional cost.
Rapid Turnaround
FDM is one of the fastest method to create a quick prototype, reducing the manufacturing lead time from weeks to days. It allows for faster innovation and speed to market.
Strength
FDM printed parts are available in a variety of high-performance plastics for applications that require resistance to the elements.
Yes, FDM and FFF refer to the same 3D printing process with a minor difference in terminology. Both involve melting thermoplastic filament and extruding it through a heated nozzle, depositing material layer by layer to build an object.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) is a term coined and trademarked by Stratasys, and is commonly used in industrial and commercial contexts, including high-end production FDM printers. FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) is the generic, non-trademarked term for the same process and is more commonly used in reference to consumer/desktop systems.
The price of FDM and SLA parts can vary significantly and may also be very similar depending on design complexity, material selection and the level of post-processing required.
Low-cost PLA FDM print jobs start from approximately $0.11 per gram. Standard SLA resin print jobs typically start around $0.12 per gram. At the higher end, both engineering-grade FDM thermoplastics and specialist SLA resins (including high-transparency resins) can reach $1.00–$1.10 per gram or more, depending on material class and post-processing requirements.
Simply upload your 3D CAD drawing in .STL file format to our contact form, along with your project details including material, surface finish and quantity requirements. Our team will then get back with a free FDM 3D printing quote within 24 hours or less.
