FDM has become a popular way to print on a 3D printer because of its simplicity and low cost. It is chosen by most consumers.
This type of modeling is now a leader in the field of 3D printing. Printers that support FDM are the most widely used and the cheapest. Therefore, many 3D models are created with all the features of FDM printers in mind.
FDM devices use thermoplastic material as a working material. Most often, it looks like a filament. This filament is melted and extruded through a nozzle. It is used to layer the material, which allows you to create a finished model. Next, we’ll look at what to look for when designing for FDM.
Adhesion of the build plate
The ideal option would be a model that has a large flat side that can be directed downward. This approach allows for sufficient surface area for proper adhesion to the build plate. This is an important aspect when printing the first layer. When the model does not have sufficient adhesion to the build plate, it can come off during printing. This will result in an incomplete print and wasted material. The user will have to go back to the digital drawing board.
In addition to design, quick tricks to ensure the adhesion of the build plate include a number of factors:
- setting the supports;
- setting the margins;
- adding a raft.
Thanks to these parameters, it is possible to increase the area of the first layer. This increases the likelihood of successful printing of the product.
Supported parts
FDM printers extend upward from the build plate. Therefore, these models have no parts detached from the main body and no unsupported surfaces above the build plate. This will not allow for any kind of 3D printing, so each part should be designed with the expectation that it will be able to make contact with the build surface.
If the floating parts cannot touch the build plate or cannot be moved, then supports can be created in the slicer. This approach will increase the likelihood of successful printing on protrusions and floating surfaces.