3D printing has become increasingly accessible. The ability to not only custom design objects but also bring those designs to life in a relatively short amount of time is useful for many different industries and hobbies.

Difference Between FDM and Industrial 3D Printing

When it comes to options, 3D printing can be done as FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) on a desktop or at an industrial level. While the core ideas behind both methods are the same, there are key differences.

3D printing works by uploading a properly formatted 3D model file into a printer. The printer then builds the object exactly according to instructions layer by layer. How long this takes varies depending on the complexity and size of the design as well as the type of printer.

For desktop FDM, the printers are often relatively small, though there are some fairly large models on the market. They often are limited in the number of materials they can print and how much detail they can reliably add. As time goes on, however, they are getting better and better, but it is likely that any fine detail you’d like to add will have to be machined in during post-processing. Desktop FDM is often most useful for small projects, especially for hobbies, as they cannot handle large-scale production very quickly.

Industrial 3D printing is done with more elaborate, larger machines. They are often far more accurate as they run calibration algorithms before they start printing. The scale and detail available to these printers are much greater, allowing for both larger and smaller products to be printed with greater precision. They can also work with a wider variety of materials. This includes materials that are more chemically resistant than those that can’t be worked by desktop FDM printing. Products can be hermetically sealed to store liquids using industrial techniques. Products printed on industrial printers, such as HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion 4210, do require post-processing, but it is less focused on adding detail and more on structural integrity.

Jawstec is an industrial 3D printing service provider utilizing some of the latest technology available. You don’t need to worry about compromising your creative visions, as our team will help refine your ideas and concepts for 3D printing so that the end product performs how you need it to. Contact us today for a 3D print quote!