Wednesday, April 30, 2025

TECHNOLOGIESADDITIVE MANUFACTURINGFFF | Fused Filament Fabrication

FFF | Fused Filament Fabrication | 3D Printing

FFF | Fused Filament Fabrication

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is a 3D printing technique that uses a heated extruder to deposit melted thermoplastic material in layers to create objects. It's also known as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

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One of the key benefits of this technology is its cost-effectiveness, as it uses widely available thermoplastics like PLA, ABS, and PETG, which are affordable and offer good strength-to-cost ratios. FFF is highly versatile, allowing for a range of material properties, including heat resistance and flexibility, to be tailored to the project's specific needs.

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Applications

Rapid Prototyping

Rapid prototyping with FDM allows designers to quickly produce and iterate functional prototypes, helping identify issues before mass production.

Custom/Spare Part Manufacturing

FDM printing enables on-demand production of custom parts and spare components, reducing automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing inventory costs.

Presentation Models

Cost-effective and easy to use, FDM printing produces visually accurate presentation models with a wide variety of colors and materials.

Materials

★ Best ● Good ■ Fair ◆ Not Recommended

	PLA	Tough PLA	PETG	TPU 95A	ABS	ASA	PA12-CF	PCTPE
Stiffness	■	●	●	◆	●	●	★	◆
Impact Resistance	■	●	●	★	■	■	●	●
Elongation	●	■	■	★	■	■	◆	●
Dimensional Capability	★	●	●	■	■	●	★	■
Level of Detail	★	★	●	■	■	■	■	■
Temperature Resistance	◆	◆	●	■	●	●	★	■
Chemical Resistance	◆	■	●	■	●	●	★	●
Lightweight	★	★	●	●	■	■	●	●

Material	Use Cases	Description
PLA	• Concept Models • Educational Models • Toys & Figurines	PLA filament, a plant-based, biodegradable material, is perfect for creating detailed, high-quality 3D prints with ease. Known for its smooth finish, low odor, and low-warping properties, it’s ideal for projects that require precision and visual appeal.
Tough PLA	• Functional Prototypes • End-Use Parts • Wearables	Tough PLA filament offers the durability of ABS with the ease and eco-friendliness of traditional PLA, making it ideal for functional, high-impact 3D prints. Its enhanced strength and resistance to breakage make it perfect for parts that can withstand daily use.
PETG	• Outdoor Applications • Laboratory Equipment • Functional Prototypes	PETG filament has a balance of strength, durability, and flexibility, making it ideal for high-impact and long-lasting 3D prints. Its resistance to moisture and chemicals, combined with ease of printing, makes PETG perfect for parts that require both durability and slight flexibility.
TPU 95A	• Seals and Gaskets • Grips and Handles • Wheels and Tires	TPU 95A filament is a flexible, impact-resistant material designed for 3D prints that need both durability and elasticity. With a Shore hardness of 95A, it’s perfect for producing wear-resistant parts that require flexibility without sacrificing strength.
ABS	• Stress Testing • Electrical Enclosures • Automotive Parts	ABS filament is a tough, high-temperature-resistant material favored for strong, long-lasting 3D prints. Known for its durability and resistance to impact, it’s ideal for functional prototypes, automotive parts, and projects that require strength and heat tolerance.
ASA	• Outdoor Applications • Automotive Parts • Recreational Equipment	ASA filament is a UV-resistant, weatherproof material ideal for outdoor 3D prints that need to withstand sunlight and harsh conditions. With its high impact strength and resistance to fading, ASA is perfect for durable projects exposed to the elements.
PA12-CF	• Aerospace Components • Tooling and Jigs • Prosthetics	Carbon Fiber reinforced PA-12 (Nylon 12) filament combines nylon's strength with carbon fibers' rigidity, creating an ultra-tough, lightweight material perfect for demanding applications. With its superior strength-to-weight ratio and excellent resistance to heat and wear, CF Nylon is ideal for functional parts, tooling, and engineering-grade prototypes.
PCTPE	• Wearables • Vibration Dampening • Grips and Handles	PCTPE (Polycarbonate TPE) filament is a unique blend of polycarbonate and flexible TPE, offering both durability and elasticity for 3D prints that need strength and flexibility. This material is perfect for high-stress applications that require a soft, resilient finish with excellent layer adhesion.

Tolerances

Prototypes

Material Type	First 3 Inches	Each Additional Inch
PLA	±0.005	±0.0015
Somos® WaterShed XC11122	±0.005	±0.0015

FFF FAQs

What is the maximum part size that could be printed?

Currently our largest machine supports a 1000 mm x 1000 mm x 500 mm build area. We also run machines with smaller build areas for parts that require more detail. Also if the design permits, a part can be split into multiple pieces to fit the build areas.

What is the finest resolution on FFF Parts?

Currently we are able to print with a minimum layer thickness of 0.1mm or 0.0039 in

How strong are FFF parts?

There are a range of materials available with different specifications. By navigating to the Materials Tab you can get the physical properties of these materials to compare. Depending on the part application, the part will be printed in a manner to suit it's purpose.

Can FFF parts be painted?

Yes. Just like with SLA parts, most FFF parts can be sanded and given a painted finish. However, they are not able to be painted with cerakote because of oven cure.

Have more Questions?

Contact Customer Service

CONTACT US

CALL: 908-685-2211

EMAIL: CustomerService@sicam.com

1 Harvard Way Hillsborough, NJ 08844

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Our high standards for quality and highly experienced technical staff here to assist you with your project solutions make us your best solution.

FFF | Fused Filament Fabrication | 3D Printing