Shenzhen Alu Rapid Prototype Precision Co., Ltd.

An FDM 3D printer (sometimes also called FFF – Fused Filament Fabrication) is the most common and affordable type of 3D printer used by hobbyists, makers, schools, and many small businesses.

1.How it works (simple explanation):

a.You load a spool of plastic filament (usually PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU, etc.) – think of it like a thick plastic string, typically 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm in diameter.

b.The filament gets pulled into a hotend (a heated metal nozzle, usually 190–260 °C depending on the material).

c.The hotend melts the plastic and squeezes it out through a tiny nozzle (0.2–1.0 mm, most commonly 0.4 mm).

d.The nozzle moves in X/Y (left-right and front-back) while the bed (print surface) or the nozzle moves in Z (up/down).

e.Layer by layer (usually 0.1–0.3 mm thick per layer), the melted plastic is deposited and fuses with the previous layer. After a few hours (or days for big prints), you have a solid 3D object.

2.Key components of a typical FDM printer:

a.Frame (gives rigidity)

b.Motion system (belts, lead screws, linear rails/rods)

c.Heated bed (helps prints stick and reduces warping)

d.Hotend + extruder (melts and pushes filament)

e.Mainboard + stepper motors

f.Power supply, display, etc.

3.Pros of FDM:

a.Cheap printers start at ~$150–300 (e.g., Ender 3 series, Prusa Mini, b.Bambu Lab A1 mini)

c.Huge variety of materials and colors

d.Easy to modify and repair

e.Large community and open-source designs

4.Cons of FDM:

Visible layer lines (though sanding, higher resolution, or special nozzles help)

Slower than some other technologies

Limited to plastics/thermoplastics (some advanced ones can print carbon-fiber-filled, metal-filled, or flexible materials)

Needs good bed adhesion and tuning to avoid failed prints