Fused Deposition Modeling

CIM- 2B Gerhard Decker

FDMKnown as the second

most used type of rapid prototyping. It’s run

just like a tattoo artist’s pen, except the nozzle uses heat rather than

ink.

FDM is a layer manufacturing

method, that requires high strength ABS

plastic. Supports are used to help the plastic retain its

shape.

Advantages of FDM

.High strength in the product

.Cost-effective

.Waterproof

.ABS material

.Multiple material colors

Types of FDM Machines

Prodigy FDM-2000

Specifications on the FDM 2000

>Build volume- 10”x 10” x 10”>Materials- ABS , Casting wax>Build step size- .005” to .030”

Specifications on the ProdigyBuild Volume- 8”x8”x10”

Materials- ABS, Casting waxBuild step

size- .007”, .010”, .013”Considered 4x as fast as the

FDM 2000

Materials used withFDM

ABS plastic / Casting WaxABS Plastic – ABS stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. This product of plastic is made through a polymerization of those monomers.

Casting Wax- used in a lot of crafting items, like making rings, glass, etc.

Excellent resistance (no attack) to Glycerine, Inorganic Salts, Alkalis, Many Acids, Most Alcohols and Hydrocarbons Limited resistance (moderate attack and suitable for short term use only) to Weak Acids Poor resistance (not recommended for use with) Strong Acids and Solvents, Ketones, Aldehydes, Esters, and some Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Maximum Temperature: 176°F 80°C Minimum Temperature: -4°F -20°C Autoclavable: No Melting Point: 221°F 105°C Tensile Strength: 4,300 psi Hardness: R110 UV Resistance: Poor Translucent Rigid Specific Gravity: 1.04

http://www.dynalabcorp.com/technical_info_abs.asp

This information chart was taken from the link above.

ABS Plastic Product Information Chart

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/Bronze_casting_by_the_Lost_Wax_Method.jpg

I found this diagram of a type of wax casting. It’s called “lost Wax” casting, that involves losing the wax when the clay is molded and bronze is added to the clay.

This about wraps up myresearch upon the FDM process. A video of the process is posted on my wiki space: Gdecker. If you want to see it, it’s there.