FDM 3D printing offers several significant advantages:

• Cost-effectiveness: As one of the most affordable 3D printing technologies, FDM is ideal for creating prototypes, functional parts, and small production runs without breaking the budget.
• Versatility: FDM supports a wide range of materials, including PLA, ABS, PETG, and Polycarbonate, making it suitable for diverse applications from simple models to robust engineering components.
• Ease of use: The technology is user-friendly and accessible, making it a great choice for both beginners and experienced professionals. It’s straightforward to set up and requires minimal maintenance.
• Speed: FDM printers can produce parts quickly, making them ideal for time-sensitive projects where fast turnaround is essential.

At 3DRevolution.co.uk, we offer a variety of high-quality materials for FDM 3D printing, each with unique properties:

• PLA (Polylactic Acid): A biodegradable plastic that is easy to print with, available in various colors. PLA is ideal for general-purpose prints and models.
• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): Known for its toughness and impact resistance, ABS is suitable for durable parts and functional prototypes.
• PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol): Combines the ease of printing with PLA and the strength of ABS, making it great for mechanical parts and consumer products.
• Polycarbonate (PC): Offers high strength and heat resistance, making it ideal for demanding engineering applications.

Add more. To view other materials visit our materials page.

FDM 3D printing at 3DRevolution.co.uk offers a dimensional accuracy of ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm (0.0196”). This ensures that your parts meet precise specifications and quality standards, making them suitable for detailed prototypes and functional parts.

We offer a range of layer heights from 100 to 300 μm. The choice of layer height depends on the desired balance between print quality and speed:

• 100 μm: Provides the smoothest surface finish and the highest level of detail, ideal for detailed models and aesthetic parts.
• 200 μm: Offers a good balance between print quality and speed, suitable for most functional parts and prototypes.
• 300 μm: Reduces printing time, making it ideal for larger parts or when a quicker turnaround is required, while still maintaining acceptable detail levels.

Our FDM 3D printing service allows for infill percentages ranging from 20% to 100%. The infill percentage affects the part’s strength, weight, and material usage:

• 20% infill: Provides a lightweight structure, ideal for non-load-bearing parts and aesthetic models.
• 50% infill: Offers a good balance between strength and material usage, suitable for functional prototypes.
• 100% infill: Maximizes strength and durability, making it ideal for load-bearing parts and robust mechanical components.

While FDM typically uses a single material for each print, we can combine parts printed with different materials to create assemblies with varied properties. This approach is useful for projects requiring both rigid and flexible components, ensuring each part meets its specific functional requirements.

FDM 3D printing is widely used across various industries for numerous applications, including:

Prototyping:

• Functional prototypes: Quickly creating prototypes to test form, fit, and function, allowing for iterative design and development.
• Concept models: Producing visual and physical models to demonstrate product concepts and ideas during early development stages.
• Fit testing: Ensuring parts fit together correctly before committing to expensive manufacturing processes.

End-use parts:

• Low-volume manufacturing: Producing small batches of parts, which is cost-effective for custom or limited-run products.
• Custom tools: Creating specialized tools and jigs for manufacturing processes, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
• Replacement parts: Fabricating spare parts for machinery or equipment, especially for older or obsolete models where original parts are unavailable.

Educational purposes:

• STEM education: Facilitating hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects in schools and universities.
• Classroom projects: Allowing students to design and print their projects, fostering creativity and practical skills.
• Research and development: Enabling researchers to develop new materials and methods, advancing the field of 3D printing technology.

Hobby and DIY projects:

• Custom parts: Creating personalized parts and accessories for various DIY projects, from home improvements to hobbyist electronics.
• Model making: Producing detailed models for hobbies such as scale modeling, tabletop gaming, and cosplay.
• Innovative gadgets: Designing and printing unique gadgets and tools that solve everyday problems or enhance daily activities.

Medical applications:

• Medical models: Printing anatomical models for educational purposes, surgical planning, and patient communication.
• Custom prosthetics: Developing personalized prosthetic limbs and assistive devices tailored to individual patients’ needs.
• Orthopedic implants: Creating customized implants and braces that fit precisely, improving patient outcomes.

Architectural models:

• Scale models: Producing detailed scale models of buildings and landscapes for architectural presentations and client meetings.
• Urban planning: Creating models of urban areas to visualize and plan new developments and infrastructure projects.

Automotive industry:

• Custom car parts: Manufacturing bespoke components for car modifications and restorations.
• Prototype testing: Developing and testing new automotive parts and designs before mass production.

Consumer products:

• Product customization: Offering personalized consumer goods, such as phone cases, jewelry, and home decor items.
• Product development: Accelerating the product development cycle by quickly producing and testing new designs.

Aerospace industry:

• Lightweight components: Creating lightweight, strong parts that are crucial for aerospace applications.
• Rapid prototyping: Developing and testing new aerospace components with fast turnaround times.

Art and design:

• Sculptures: Producing intricate sculptures and art pieces with complex geometries.
• Design prototypes: Allowing artists and designers to experiment with shapes and forms before finalizing their work.

FDM 3D printing’s versatility and accessibility make it an invaluable tool across these and many other fields, providing solutions that enhance innovation, efficiency, and customization.

Yes, we offer comprehensive 3D CAD modeling and design services. Whether you need a new design or modifications to an existing model, our expert team can assist you in optimizing your design for FDM 3D printing. We ensure your model is print-ready, addressing any potential issues that could affect the print quality.

Yes, we offer bulk discounts for large orders. The discount rate depends on the volume and complexity of the project. Contact us with your order details, and we will provide a competitive quote reflecting the cost savings of bulk production. We aim to deliver value and affordability without compromising quality.

We’re here to help with all your FDM 3D printing needs. You can reach out to us via our contact page on 3DRevolution.co.uk, and our expert team will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you might have. Whether it’s about choosing the right material, optimizing your design, or troubleshooting a print issue, we are ready to support you every step of the way.