There is an immense need of rapid prototyping a product nowadays, before it is finally made and launched into the market. 3D Printing makes it much easier for product designers and consumers to know better how the final outcome of their work will be in a tangible way.
Fused Filament Fabrication or FFF 3D Printing, is a method of additive manufacturing where material is extruded through a nozzle or orifice in tracks or beads, which are then combined into multi-layer models. FFF 3D printers are most commonly Cartesian type where the nozzle moves in X and Y direction whereas the build platform moves in the Z-direction.
Second similar method is called Fused Deposition Modeling or FDM where layers of materials are fused together in a pattern to create an object. The material is usually melted just past its glass transition temperature, and then extruded in a pattern next to or on top of previous extrusions, creating an object layer by layer.
In layman’s terms, a typical FDM 3D printer takes a plastic filament and squeezes it through a hot end, melting it and then depositing it in layers on the print bed. These layers are fused together, building up throughout the print, and eventually they will form the finished part.
As FDM produces objects that are durable, it is often used to create prototypes that will withstand strenuous testing. Objects that need to endure large temperature changes, mechanical stress, and chemical corrosion are often printed using FDM. This technique is also used to create final products, especially smaller, detailed objects. Engineers often use FDM when they want to test parts for form and fit, and automotive manufacturers generally use it to create prototypes for smaller parts.
FDM is more user-friendly than the other two methods - SLA and SLS, and it has fewer working parts to contend with. It’s also more affordable, making it the most popular method for desktop 3D printers. In addition to carrying a lower price tag, the thermoplastic filaments are also biodegradable, less harmful, environmentally and mechanically stable.