FDM (Filament): the route, the tolerances it holds, materials and design tips, with an indicative cost. One of 56 processes in the free finder.
AdditiveFamily
+/-0.2mmTypical tol.
5Route steps
36Parts in finder
FDM 3D printing builds a part layer by layer from molten thermoplastic filament extruded along a toolpath.
At a glance
When to use it, and when not
Best for
Fast prototypes, jigs, fixtures and low-volume plastic parts with no tooling.
Watch for
Visible layer lines, weaker in the build-Z direction, and loose tolerances.
Step by step
The typical route
Raw material to finished part. Steps vary with material, volume and tolerance; this is the free route from the finder.
Slice
Slice the model and set orientation.
Tooling Slicer Tolerance - Lead -
Print
Print layer by layer in filament.
Tooling FDM Tolerance - Lead -
Remove supports
Remove supports.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Post
Sand/vapour-smooth if needed.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Inspect
Check fit and strength axis.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Precision
Tolerances it can hold
TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials it suits
Grade
Why it suits this
PLA
Cheap, easy, brittle
PETG/ABS
Tougher, functional
Nylon / CF-nylon
Strong, stiff
Design
Design tips
A few general pointers for FDM (Filament). The full, part-specific DFM list is in the dossier.
Load perpendicular to layers.Orient for strength.
Large flat first layer.Add chamfer/brim.
Cost
What it costs
Cheapest additive; prototypes, jigs, low-volume functional parts. Priced by print hours and volume, flat curve.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for your part at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$10 to 29per part at 1 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on this process and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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FDM 3D printing builds a part layer by layer from molten thermoplastic filament extruded along a toolpath. The typical route is: Slice; Print; Remove supports; Post; Inspect. Fast prototypes, jigs, fixtures and low-volume plastic parts with no tooling.
What does FDM (Filament) cost per part?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $10 to 29 per part at low volume and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. Model estimates, not quotes.
What tolerance can FDM (Filament) hold?
Typically about +/-0.2 mm, tighter with extra finishing operations at higher cost.
What materials suit FDM (Filament)?
Common choices are PLA (Cheap, easy, brittle); PETG/ABS (Tougher, functional); Nylon / CF-nylon (Strong, stiff).
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
