Category: Materials

Explore the critical shift from Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) rapid prototyping to full scale production. This article details the practical differences, key transition signals, and design adjustments necessary for engineering teams to scale their projects from a single prototype to thousands of units. Learn how to navigate material selection, cost analysis, and partner collaboration for successful manufacturing.

A technical comparison of TPU and Nylon filaments for functional FDM prototypes, covering hardness, fatigue resistance, chemical properties, and specific use cases to guide material selection.

Engineer facing guide to selecting FDM infill percentage and pattern by load, geometry, and material. Covers 15 to 100 percent, gyroid vs grid vs cubic, weight tradeoffs, and validation.

When a prototype deadline looms, knowing the real difference between same-day and next-day turnaround can save your project timeline and budget.

A design review before 3D printing catches costly errors early—saving time, material, and budget on your prototype run.

Texas heat destroys prototypes made from the wrong materials. Here's what engineers need to know before sending a CAD file to print.

Learn how to leverage FDM printing to reverse engineer and manufacture functional replacements for obsolete or discontinued parts. This guide covers viability assessment, reverse engineering, material selection, and design optimization for engineers.

Choosing between FDM and resin for your prototype? This side-by-side guide covers temperature limits, tolerances, surface finish, and cost—so you pick the right process before you print.

FDM parts are strong and functional straight off the print bed, but post processing unlocks their full potential. This guide provides engineers with a practical overview of sanding, priming, and tapping FDM components to achieve superior surface finishes and mechanical functionality.

Printing one large part instead of assembling several smaller ones eliminates joint failure points, reduces labor, and often costs less overall.

Annealing transforms brittle FDM prints into durable prototype parts. Learn temperature protocols, material-specific settings, and when the process is worth the extra step.

Learn how dissolvable supports in 3D printing solve trapped geometry problems. PVA vs HIPS comparison, design rules, and when to use them for your prototype.