PA12 CF
Carbon-fibre-reinforced polyamide 12, offering high mechanical strength and rigidity.
FDM 3D Printing service
- Wide range of engineering-grade thermoplastics
- ISO 9001:2015, AS9100D certified
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an Additive Manufacturing technology
It uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer to create a solid object. Valued for its cost-effectiveness, material versatility and ability to produce functional prototypes and end-use parts, FDM is widely used in the automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors, thanks to its compatibility with high-performance materials.
FDM 3D printing use cases
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Drilling and assembly jigs
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Positioning and inspection fixtures
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Robotic grippers and EOAT
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Tooling for composite manufacturing
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Mandrels, masters, and production tooling
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Machine guards, covers, and supports
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Functional ducts and channels
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Functional spare parts for industrial machinery
Materials for FDM 3D printing
Polymers
ASA
Excellent UV resistance, ideal for outdoor applications.
ABS
Good balance of mechanical strength and processability.
ABS ESD
ESD-safe ABS suitable for sensitive electronic devices and components.
ULTEM 9085
Advanced flame-retardant thermoplastic for transportation applications.
PA6
Excellent mechanical strength and chemical resistance.
PA12
High dimensional stability and wear resistance.
PEEK CF
High mechanical and thermal performance.
PA CF (Onyx)
Reinforced nylon offering excellent structural strength.
PA (Onyx) Continuous CF
Nylon reinforced with continuous carbon fibre, offering excellent structural strength.
PA CF (Onyx) Flame Retardant
Flame-retardant reinforced nylon offering excellent structural strength.
PA CF (Onyx) ESD
Excellent mechanical strength and chemical resistance, with ESD-safe properties.
ULTEM 1010
ULTEM 1010 is a high-performance polyetherimide (PEI) thermoplastic offering excellent tensile strength, chemical resistance and high thermal stability. It is suitable for applications such as sterilizable medical tooling and composite lay-up tooling.
PP
Lightweight thermoplastic with excellent chemical resistance.
PA6 CF
Carbon-fibre-reinforced PA6 offering excellent mechanical strength and chemical resistance.
PEEK
High-performance thermoplastic with excellent mechanical and thermal properties.
PC-ABS
PC-ABS is a blend of polycarbonate (PC) and ABS that provides a balanced combination of impact resistance and toughness. It is ideal for prototyping, low-volume production and industrial applications.
PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) is a biodegradable thermoplastic derived from renewable resources and characterised by good printability. It is widely used for concept models, prototypes, toys and decorative components.
TPU
Flexible, durable and mechanically resistant thermoplastic elastomer.
PETG
Rigid and chemically resistant thermoplastic, also suitable for food-contact applications.
Our team of experts is at your disposal
Our engineers support you in material selection, optimising the part for metal 3D printing, and defining the required post-processes and inspections.
DMLS finishing options
Painting
Aesthetic finish and part protection with custom painting on request.
Final result:
- Uniform aesthetic finish
- Customisable colour
- Greater surface protection
Comparison with other technologies
| Technology | Max. size | Min. detail size | Min. wall thickness | Tolerance | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMLS | 500×280×340 mm | 0.6-0.8 mm | 0.22 mm | ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm) | Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive. |
| SLS Plastic | 680×380×540 mm | 0.8 mm | 0.7-1.3 mm | ±0.3% (±0.3mm) | Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical. |
| SLA Plastic | 1350×750×500 mm | 0.2-0.5 mm | 1-3 mm | ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm) | Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry. |
| MJF Plastic | 380×284×380 mm | 0.5 mm | 0.3-0.5 mm | ±0.3% (±0.2 mm) | Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods. |
| Polyjet Plastic | 490×380×200 mm | 1.2-2 mm | 1 mm | ±0.1% | Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics. |
| FDM Plastic | 914×690×914 mm | 1.2-1.5 mm | 1.5 mm | ±0.5% (±0.5 mm) | Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products. |
| DLP Plastic | 510×280×350 mm | 0.5 mm | 1 mm | ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm | Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes. |
| Large Scale Plastic | 2500×2500×4000 mm | 3 mm | — | ±5 mm/m | Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity. |
| DED | 1200×800×600 mm | — | — | — | Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing. |
| Binder Jet | 430×310×150 mm | — | — | ±3% | Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery. |
Technology
DMLS
- Max. size
- 500×280×340 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.6-0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.22 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.25 (≤15mm); ±0.5 (>15mm)
Description
Similar to Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), but uses metal powders to produce high-strength, intricate metal parts, suitable for functional prototypes and end-use components in aerospace, medical and automotive.
Technology
SLS
Plastic- Max. size
- 680×380×540 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.8 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.7-1.3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.3mm)
Description
Uses a laser to fuse powdered materials layer by layer, ideal for durable, complex parts without support structures. Widely used in aerospace, automotive and medical.
Technology
SLA
Plastic- Max. size
- 1350×750×500 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.2-0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1-3 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.2% (min. 0.2 mm)
Description
Uses a UV laser to cure liquid resin into solid layers, ideal for highly detailed, smooth, intricate parts. Widely used for detailed prototypes and complex designs in jewellery and dentistry.
Technology
MJF
Plastic- Max. size
- 380×284×380 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 0.3-0.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.3% (±0.2 mm)
Description
Uses multiple jets to apply fusing agents onto powder, which is then fused by heating elements. Delivers high-resolution functional parts with short lead times, often used in aerospace, automotive and consumer goods.
Technology
Polyjet
Plastic- Max. size
- 490×380×200 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-2 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.1%
Description
Jets liquid photopolymer resin and cures it layer by layer with UV light, enabling highly detailed, multi-material parts with different properties. Popular for prototyping and colour-rich complex models in medical modelling, consumer goods and electronics.
Technology
FDM
Plastic- Max. size
- 914×690×914 mm
- Min. detail size
- 1.2-1.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1.5 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.5% (±0.5 mm)
Description
Uses a heated nozzle to extrude thermoplastic filament layer by layer, ideal for durable functional prototypes. Commonly used in manufacturing, automotive and consumer products.
Technology
DLP
Plastic- Max. size
- 510×280×350 mm
- Min. detail size
- 0.5 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- 1 mm
- Tolerance
- ±0.30 mm < 100mm; ±0.3% > 100 mm
Description
Uses a digital light projector to cure liquid resin layer by layer, providing fast, precise, high-resolution prints. Commonly used in dentistry, jewellery and high-definition prototypes.
Technology
Large Scale
Plastic- Max. size
- 2500×2500×4000 mm
- Min. detail size
- 3 mm
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±5 mm/m
Description
Refers to 3D printing technologies designed to create large objects or structures, such as industrial machine parts or architectural models, with an emphasis on size and structural integrity.
Technology
DED
- Max. size
- 1200×800×600 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- —
Description
Uses an energy beam to melt and deposit metal powders or wires, ideal for repairing or adding features to metal parts in aerospace and manufacturing.
Technology
Binder Jet
- Max. size
- 430×310×150 mm
- Min. detail size
- —
- Min. wall thickness
- —
- Tolerance
- ±3%
Description
Deposits a binding agent onto a powder bed to form parts, which are then sintered. Useful for producing complex, cost-effective parts, often used in automotive, aerospace, consumer goods and jewellery.
FDM technology pros and cons
Advantages
- Wide range of materials with various mechanical properties.
- Strong and durable parts for functional applications.
- Large build volumes available for bigger components.
Points to consider
- Rough Surface Finish with often visible layer lines and a rough surface, requiring post-processing for improved aesthetics and smoothness.
- Limited precision and detail with lower resolution compared to other additive technologies like SLA or PolyJet.
- Parts are inherently anisotropic due to weak layer adhesion, affecting mechanical properties.
- Low productivity since printing speed is lower than other additive technologies, and nesting multiple parts within the build volume is not possible.
- Warping issues depending on material and geometry.
FDM 3D printing FAQ
What materials can be used with FDM 3D printing?
FDM 3D printing uses thermoplastic filaments and can process a wide range of materials, including PA, PA CCF, ABS, PLA, PP, PETG, ASA, PEEK, and TPU. Carbon-fibre- and glass-fibre-reinforced materials are also available for industrial applications requiring greater stiffness, stability, or strength. Material selection depends on operating temperature, loads, chemical environment, wear, weight, and aesthetic requirements. Industrial FDM therefore makes it possible to match the material to the characteristics and operating conditions of the component.
Can FDM components be used as functional parts?
Yes. With the right combination of material, orientation, and design, FDM can be used to produce functional components, end-use parts, and industrial spare parts, rather than prototypes alone. Mechanical performance also depends on layer direction, which can result in anisotropic behaviour. Print orientation, wall thickness, infill, and geometry should therefore be evaluated according to the actual loads on the component. MadeInAdd supports the selection of the most suitable solution based on temperature, stresses, and operating conditions.
What accuracy and tolerances can be achieved with FDM 3D printing?
In MadeInAdd configurations, FDM 3D printing offers an indicative minimum feature size of around 1.2–1.5 mm and wall thicknesses starting from approximately 1.5 mm. The reference tolerance is ±0.5%, with an indicative minimum of ±0.5 mm, while the maximum build volume is 914 × 690 × 914 mm. Actual accuracy depends on part dimensions, material, orientation, and geometry. For tight functional dimensions or particularly smooth surfaces, post-processing or alternative additive technologies may be considered, always taking the final function of the component into account.
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