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Fused Deposition Modeling.... General information

StrataSys. Website

Fused Deposition Modeling

Fused Deposition Modeling, FDM, uses a heated material extrusion process to create three dimensional objects. The extrusion head is guided along the three axes and builds the 3D objects by depositing ultra-thin layers of molten thermoplastic one layer at a time.

The spool of material is loaded for the liquefier to melt. Then the tip is homed along the cooled surface XY bottom plane. The material then flows from the tip as it moves along the XY plane. After the first layer is completed and solidifies, (this takes about .1 seconds), the tip moves up in the Z axis (depending on the height of the layer) and creates the next layer. Layers are added one after the other until the entire object is finally completed. Depending on the sophistication of the part, minor errors including rough surfaces, bowed frames, and jagged edges may occur.

The Genisys FDM machine in the Rapid Prototype Lab is controlled by the AutoGen software which takes only .stl file format.

FDM allows a virtual computer model to generate a prototype 3-D model in a matter of minutes or hours.

Materials

Statasys uses thermoplastics. FDM materials, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ), are inert and non-toxic. The thermoplastic soften and liquefy when heat is added, generally with a melting point between 180°F and 220°F.

Limitation

The FMD machine's only major limitation is the inability to make the inside hollow for an object: for example a hollow sphere or a box. An object with an empty space would have support material that needs to be extracted out.