FDM 3D printing has two distinct classes: prototyping (desktop) FDM and industrial FDM. These are the key capabilities of both technologies.
| Maximum build size | Maximum build size | Maximum build size | Maximum build size | Infill | |
| Prototyping FDM | 500 x 500 x 500 mm | From 1 business days | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm | 50-300 μm | 10-80% |
| Industrial FDM | 500 x 500 x 500 mm | From 1 business days | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm | 50-300 μm | 10-80% |
| Sculpture FDM | 1200 x 2000 x 2000 mm | From 2 business days | - | - | Ultra-light, Light, Solid |
| Material | Color | Resolution | Tensile strength | Elongation at break | Heat deflection temperature | Application |
| Prototyping | ||||||
| Nylon (PA 12) | ||||||
| Glass-filled Nylon (PA 12)(US only) | ||||||
| Engineering | ||||||
| Nylon (PA 12) | ||||||
| Glass-filled Nylon (PA 12)(US only) | ||||||
| High Performance | ||||||
| PEEK | Natural (Glossy) | |||||
| PEKK | Natural (Glossy) | |||||
| PEEK-CF | Black (Matte) | |||||
| PEKK-GF | Black (Matte) | |||||
| PPS | Black (Glossy) | |||||
| Materials | Price | Dimensional accuracy | Strengths | Build volume | Layer thickness | Min. feature size | |
| FDM | 5 | $ | ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm | Low cost, wide range of materials | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 100-300μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Industrial FDM | 6 | $$$$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | High level of repeatability, engineering grade materials | 406 x 355 x 406 mm (15.98” x 13.97” x 15.98") | 100-330μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Prototyping SLA | 8 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details | 145 × 145 × 175 mm (5.7" x 5.7" x 6.8") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| Industrial SLA | 3 | $$$ | ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.13 mm (± 0.005") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details, big print area | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| SLS | 2 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012”) | Design flexibility, supports not required | 395 x 500 x 395 mm (15.53" x 19.68" x 15.53") | 100μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
| MJF | 2 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit on ± 0.3 mm (0.012’') | Design flexibility, supports not required | 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9’’ x 11.2’’ x 14.9’') | 80μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
We manufacture your custom parts according to strict manufacturing standards and ensure all parts and processes adhere to The Protolabs Network Standard. A thorough verification of these requirements is included in our inspection report that we ship with every order.
We manufacture your custom parts according to strict manufacturing standards and ensure all parts and processes adhere to the Protolabs Network Standard. A thorough verification of these requirements is included in our inspection report that we ship with every order.
We manufacture your custom parts according to strict manufacturing standards and ensure all parts and processes adhere to the Protolabs Network Standard. A thorough verification of these requirements is included in our inspection report that we ship with every order.
| Materials | Price | Dimensional accuracy | Strengths | Build volume | Layer thickness | Min. feature size | |
| FDM | 5 | $ | ± 0.5% with a lower limit on ± 0.5 mm | Low cost, wide range of materials | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 100-300μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Industrial FDM | 6 | $$$$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | High level of repeatability, engineering grade materials | 406 x 355 x 406 mm (15.98” x 13.97” x 15.98") | 100-330μm | 2.0 mm (0.0787’') |
| Prototyping SLA | 8 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details | 145 × 145 × 175 mm (5.7" x 5.7" x 6.8") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| Industrial SLA | 3 | $$$ | ± 0.2% with a lower limit of ± 0.13 mm (± 0.005") | Smooth surface finish, fine feature details, big print area | 500 x 500 x 500 mm (19.68" x 19.68" x 19.68") | 50-100μm | 0.2 mm (0.00787’') |
| SLS | 2 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit of ± 0.3 mm (± 0.012”) | Design flexibility, supports not required | 395 x 500 x 395 mm (15.53" x 19.68" x 15.53") | 100μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
| MJF | 2 | $$ | ± 0.3% with a lower limit on ± 0.3 mm (0.012’') | Design flexibility, supports not required | 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9’’ x 11.2’’ x 14.9’') | 80μm | 0.5 mm (0.0196”) |
| Feature | Recommended size |
| Unsupported walls | 0.8 mm (0.0315 in) |
| Supported walls | 0.8 mm (0.0315 in) |
| Minimum feature size | 2.0 mm (0.0787 in) |
| Minimum hole diameter | 2.0 mm (0.0787 in) |
