Fused Deposition Modelling
FDM is the workhorse process for functional parts. It’s normally the most cost-effective way to produce durable prototypes, brackets, mounts, housings, and short-run parts without tooling.
What FDM is good for in the real world
If your priority is a part that fits, works, and is strong enough to test properly, FDM is usually the first place I look.
It’s especially useful when you need something quickly and you don’t want to spend weeks waiting on tooling or minimum order quantities.
- Brackets, housings, mounts, covers and functional prototypes
- Jigs and fixtures for workshop or manufacturing use
- Short-run parts where injection moulding isn’t viable
The part that matters most
The material choice usually makes a bigger difference than the printer itself. Tell me the environment (heat, load, chemicals, outdoors) and we’ll pick the right option.
If you want it to look perfect
If your priority is surface finish and fine detail over strength, we can talk about SLA instead. FDM can look excellent, but it’s fundamentally a layered process.
How we approach an FDM job
If you’ve got CAD, great — send it over. If you don’t, a good photo and a few measurements often gets us most of the way there.
From there we’ll confirm orientation, strength direction, tolerances, and what matters most: fit, finish, or durability.