Industrial FDM 3D Printer

It is a fact that Industrial designers are getting challenged with designing the most efficient and effective manufactured products. For this, they need robust and advanced hardware that can perfectly support their unique goals. When it comes to satisfying the customers, it is crucial to offer them something they really want.

There are many things to do to come up with such a product, and one of the most important things is developing prototypes for evaluation purposes. But if you go for the traditional prototyping method, it will take a lot of time and money. So, what can be the best solution for this? This is where a good quality industrial FDM 3d printer comes to play.

To remain highly competitive in this ever-changing market landscape, retailers, along with consumer-oriented industries, should be able to adapt to the changing consumer demand and the evolving industry trends.

Nothing can meet these needs better than additive manufacturing. This has been proved as the most cost-effective way for product development, evaluation, and production. From consumer electronics to sportswear and toys, prominent players are increasingly implementing industrial design 3d printing as a crucial addition to their existing manufacturing solutions.

In fact, for the fastest and the most realistic product prototypes, manufacturers and designers are leveraging the real power of additive manufacturing or 3D printing using rugged FDM 3D printers, especially the industrial FDM 3d printer.

Different from desktop FDM 3D printers, these are developed to carry out bulk projects or production. So, if you plan to set up a manufacturing unit to serve different industries, then investing in a large-size FDM 3D printer can be a perfect idea.

These machines are gradually creating a solid base in various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, medical, education, model making, and more.

What do you mean by an industrial 3D printer?

As the name suggests, industrial-grade 3D printers are designed and developed to quickly produce large volumes and various products faster. These printers offer a higher level of throughput, multiple material options, and a massive build platform than the desktop 3D printer of a non-industrial FDM3D printer.

As different 3D printer manufacturers produce different FDM 3D printers, how to choose the best 3d printer for industrial use? This can be a little challenging for you. However, to make it a bit simple for you, we have written down all the essential things, including FDM 3d printer price below, going through which, you can make the right decision. Have a look at those points.

In 3D printing or additive manufacturing, you will get various 3D printing options involving different technologies. However, the 3D printing technology that is quite popular than others is FDM- Fused Deposition Modeling technology.

These printers can manufacture various types of parts layer-by-layer by heating and extruding different kinds of printing materials or filaments. In general, these printers use production-grade thermoplastic materials suitable for producing low-volume manufacturing parts, functional prototypes, robust manufacturing tools, and more.

Different industries look for different types of solutions to maximize the object’s efficiency. An industrial FDM 3d printer lets them develop durable and functional prototypes that can easily withstand the other kind of testing.

Speaking more about it, FDM’s printing was first introduced during the 1980s by Scott Crump, the co-founder, and chairman of Stratasys Ltd. After that, Then MakerBot, which is the current owner of Stratasys, developed a similar printing technology named FFF- Fused Filament Fabrication.

These printers come with advanced technology to process different types of 3D printing materials, such as pastes, thermoplastic, exotic 3D printing materials, and more. So, within a few minutes, you can create different types of products using other materials.

How FDM 3D printing technology function?

In simple words, this printing technology works by extruding heated 3D printing materials or thermoplastic materials layer by layer onto the build platform. The entire process involves three major stages. These are:

1. Pre-processing stage

Here, a build-preparation software perfectly slices and then positions a 3D CAD file and evaluates the right patch to extrude 3D printing materials and the required support materials.

2. The production stages

In this stage, the 3D printer properly heats the thermoplastic to turn the material into liquid form and then deposits the liquid in ultra-fine beads through the extrusion path. If there are any buffering and support requirements, the FDM 3D printer will deposit a removal material that will act as a scaffolding.

3. The post-processing stages

This is the final stage of 3D printing, where the producers break the support structure or dissolve it in water. Once done, the part is ready to use.

Most of the FDM 3D printers utilize thermoplastic that is found in the traditional manufacturing methods. This is ideal for different applications that require tight tolerances, environmental stability, and toughness. Some essential aspects of FDM 3D printing are:

• This printing technology is well-developed, simple to use, and clean. You won’t face any complications with this printing method.
• Supported production-grade thermoplastics that you can use with these printers are environmentally and mechanically stable.
• This allows you to give the correct shape to the complex geometries and cavities that will otherwise be challenging to become possible with today’s FDM 3D printing technology.

Who prefers to use industrial-grade FDM 3D printers?

In general, industrial 3D printers are widely used by industrial designers to create prototypes of the design they have in mind. As the designers can be working on different types of products, covering furniture, toys, and card, the FDM 3D printers they are using must have the ability to offer the desired level of flexibility and speed.  On the other hand, industrial FDM 3D printers’ different types of material options enable the industrial firms to provide various industries services.

On the other hand, these types of 3D printers are used in the manufacturing process. As the printers come with large build size, they are quite useful in producing 3D printing jigs, fixtures, airplane parts, car parts, packaging solutions, and more. The machine’s higher level of precision and accuracy helps make quality end-use parts, for example, front bumpers and battery covers.

Let’s know how these printers work to create high-quality 3D models. The process is quite simple to understand.  You can consider your hot-glue gun for this.

Some benefits of FDM 3D printing for consumer goods

1. The enhanced product development process

Before launching a new product, the design of that particular product must be validated, tested, and then approved for the final process. The process takes place during the stage of product development.  Two things are considered as vital aspects of the process, i.e., models and prototypes.

The reason is they are quite commonly used for research and testing purposes. FDM 3D printing can speed up the process of product development by facilitating the rapid production of models and prototypes. With this, product engineers and designers can develop and validate different iterations, and you can carry out repetitive testing without spending much time and money.

2. Quicker time-to-market

Your ability to accelerate the product development process and time will directly impact how early you can launch your product in the market. In simple words, by testing and validating your products faster, the engineers and designers can speed up the time-to-market.

Some companies have used 3D printing products to conduct pilot product testing. For example, in 2015, PepsiCo manufactured different prototypes of the Ruffles chips brand and tested its size to know which worked best. The best one was used to produce a new potato chip slicer at the plants. So, you can also enjoy such benefits by adopting this method.

3. Faster and effective mass customization

As per the experts, the most significant impact of additive manufacturing for consumer goods depends on producing personalized products customized to the consumers’ requirements. In the case of traditional manufacturing, where you manufacture products in masse, the tailored products produced in small batches can be inefficient.

Such limitation has been eliminated with the help of industrial design 3d printing. So, if you plan to run a business to offer customized services to your customers, you should use the FDM 3D printers.

4. Mass production

An industrial FDM 3d printer can offer you the ability to manufacture end-use parts in seamless pieces, and there will not need to go for post-production assembly.

5. Unlimited printing material options

One of the most significant advantages of using the FDM 3D printers is supporting multiple 3D printing materials. You can now produce prototypes that will feel, look, and behave just like the end-use product. You can even heat-resistant 3D models using these machines.

There are more such excellent benefits that you can enjoy using an industrial-grade FDM 3D printer. Use it to witness the difference in your product quality and production capacity.

1.1, Principle of FDM 3d printer

This section will discuss the significant parts of top industrial 3d printers and the process through which desired 3D models or objects are made. So, let’s start with the parts of an FDM 3D printer.

• Filament- In simple words, this is the 3D printing material for your 3D printer. Before using the printer, you need to attach the filament spool to the printer’s back or side and connect it to the extruder.
• Heater- The heater’s objective is to correctly heat the filament to turn it into the liquid for printing.
• Hot end- This particular portion of 3D printers includes a cooling fan, nozzle assembly, and heat sink.
• Extruder- Your printer’s extruder will pull out the filament and will push it towards the heater.  Some called it Cold End.
• Build platform- On the build platform, the liquid-formed printing material is deposited using the nozzle. Once applied, the material will stick to it to build the object. Based on the filament you are using and the object you want to produce, the build platform can be heated or non-heated.

The printing process is done using all these parts. Now, let’s know the printing process of an FDM 3D printer.

Printing methods of an FDM 3D printer

As per the experts, FDM 3D printers are like a Cartesian type of 3D printer, a coordinated system that can be found in printers. This technology is responsible for the movement of the print head or nozzle and builds a platform. You will discover three crucial rails, i.e., X, Y, and Z, corresponding to each axis.

When the process begins, the extruder, nozzle, and printhead assembly move correctly in a particular direction, in the X and Y direction. On the other hand, the build platform moves in the “Z” direction. Here is the actual printing process.

To begin with, the filament is attached to the extruder of the machine. You may find filaments in two types of diameters in the market, one is 3 mm, and another one is 1.75 mm. However, one printer will support only one size of filament. The extruder is equipped with a gear mechanism to pull the filament and then send that to the heater.

The heater will convert the tough filament into liquid. Experts suggest that before using the heater, you should know about the melting point of different filaments. For example, ABS’s melting point is 210-degree C to 250-degree C, and PLA melts between 180-degree C to 230-degree C. Talking about Nylon, this material melts at 240-degree C or 467-degree F.

After this, the melted filament will be sent to the nozzle. In nozzle also, you will get nozzles with two types of diameters, one is 0.4mm, and another one is 0.2mm. Remember that the thickness of the printed layer and printing quality will significantly depend on the nozzle’s diameter.

The nozzle will apply the liquid-form of filament onto the build area after reading the product’s design from the digital 3D CAD file.  During this, the nozzle will move in the X and Y direction, and the build platform will also move in the Z direction. After done with one layer, the nozzle will move in the same way to create the second layer. The process will keep going until the entire object is made.

After printing work, the 3D object will be removed from the build platform for post-processing.  Here are some standard post-processing techniques that can be used for FDM 3D printing for a better idea.

1. Support removal

Support removal is the first method of post-processing. In general, there are two types of support materials, i.e., Soluble and Insoluble.

Speaking about soluble, some examples of soluble materials are PVA and HIPS, and these are easier to operate with as they can be easily dissolved in different chemicals like Limonene and water.  

Some examples of insoluble materials are Nylon, PC, ABS, PLA, and more. These can be removed using hand, pliers, or flush cutters. Sometimes, these supports can be found challenging to reach.

2. Sanding

One of the simplest methods is sanding. The sanding process needs to be carried out carefully in different successive stages, and it can be started from low grit sandpaper with 150 grit, then you can move to 400 grit, 600 grit, and then 2000 grit. The major drawback of sanding is the process is quite a time taking.

3. Vapour smoothing

In this process, acetone is used. This technique is generally utilized while using ABS filament. The vapour reacts with the object’s outer layer, and it will start to melt. This process will melt the outer layer lines and offer the object a glossy look. However, you need to use it very carefully, as this can affect the object’s dimensional accuracy. This method is ideal for luxury products, where the aesthetic of the product matters more than dimensional accuracy.

4. Priming and painting

Priming is about coating the 3D printed object using a primer. This becomes a base for your printing job. You can do this after the sanding process. Once done with sanding, just apply two separate coats of primer. After that, let the object dry and then paint the object.

5. Polishing

For this, you need to use the buffing wheel. For this, you can use the Dremel tool. You can easily buy a 3D printing Dremel toolkit online.

6. Hydro graphics

This is considered an exciting technique called water transfer imaging, immersion printing, water transfer printing, and hydro dipping. You can use this method for wood, glass, metals, plastic, and more.

The primary reason behind the massive popularity of an industrial FDM 3D printer is that it can produce different 3D printed parts with a higher level of accuracy than the standard desktop FDM machines.  There will be a control of processing parameters, and they initiate calibration algorithms before every point. Besides, some machines also support dual extrusion. So, when it comes to enjoying a better end-product result, you can always trust the FDM 3D printers of Dreambot3D.

1.2, What materials can be printed by FDM 3d printer

Why people prefer to buy industrial 3d printers? The primary reason is these printers can support different types of 3D printing materials.  Currently, the global 3D printing industry is enjoying a rapid introduction of new printing materials.

Even though PLA and ABS are considered the primary printing materials, you can now use other materials. So, based on your 3D printed object requirements, you can use materials. Now, let’s have a closer look at the types of printing materials.  

1. ABS

This is a petroleum-based filament and widely used in different industries for its durability. The melting temperature of this material is 240-degree C. While using this printing material, you need to use a heated build area to stick to the build platform’s surface properly. Once applied, the material will not pull up or away from the surface.

It has been seen that to create a perfect level of adhesion, some people use Kapton tape. This material produces durable and tough objects. Well, it can break, but by combining ABS with carbon fiber, you can make it relatively stronger. The best part is that ABS can be reformed, recycled, and granulated.

2. PLA

Polylactic Acid melts at a significantly lower temperature than ABS. The melting point of PLA is 180-degree C. This is a common and classis 3D printing material that is used in almost all the industry. The material is generally made from different renewable sources, for example, sugar cane and starch.  

While using this for creating 3D objects, you don’t have to use a heated build platform. It is available in different colors, including translucent and transparent filament. Remember that 3D models made of PLA will not be durable like ABS. Besides, this material is harder to recycle.

3. Nylon

In the FDM 3D printing industry, Nylon comes in different grades, and for 3D printing, Nylon 618 is considered the ideal option. Unlike PLA and ABS, Nylon will melt at 242-degrees C. Nylon comes with some similar properties to ABS and can cool quicker.

This material doesn’t release any harmful fumes while printing, but it is advisable to use the printers in a properly ventilated area. Besides, it will be better to use appropriately enclosed FDM 3D printers that you can get from Dreambot3D.

4. Carbon fiber

This filament uses carbon fibers along with thermoplastic, which is the base material. This is a strong material, but you can further increase its strength and stiffness by adding ABS, PLA, and Nylon. This material is easy to print, and the products will come with a smooth surface.

5. PC

Polycarbonate is a robust material that is widely used in different types of engineering applications. The PC products will show better resistance to temperature and can also sustain physical deformation of up to 150-degree C. It has been seen that the PC can easily absorb moisture from the air. This material is used for its strength and a good level of transparency.

6. PETG

This material is a perfect combination of PET and Glycol. The combination offers an amorphous thermoplastic that is durable. The finished products made of PETG will feel and look smooth. The best thing is the material can be sterilized, and you can use it in the food production or food packaging industry.

However, you can witness a little bit of colour alteration during the PETG printing process. Besides, in some cases, the 3D printed objects may come with visible scratches.

7. PVA

Even though this is used in the industrial sector in a limited amount, it is an ideal option for low-end FDM 3D printers.  You can use this as a support material as it will get dissolved easily during the post-processing stage. However, this is not suitable to manufacture products that need higher strength. As a budget-friendly 3D printing material, this is good for temporary-use products.

8. HIPS

High Impact Polystyrene is a plastic filament use as a supporting element in the industrial FDM 3D printers. This material is straightforward to use and can easily get dissolved. It is soluble in a liquid hydrocarbon like Limonene.

9. TPU

Another wide use of 3D printing material is TPU. It comes with rubber-like characteristics, and you can use it to make parts with the semi-flexible feature. The object made of TPU can have a semi-transparent appearance. It demonstrates an adequate level of abrasion resistance. Besides, it can offer a decent level of strength.

10. ULTEM

This is the best material for professional-level FDM 3D printers. This is one type of resin from the Polyetherimide family. Speaking about some of its characteristics, it offers a better level of performance and heat-resistant.

1.3, Why is Dreambot3D’s FDM 3d printer so prominent?

FDM 3D printing technology is evolving rapidly than other manufacturing methods as it dramatically influences the manufacturing processes, helping businesses perform better. Furthermore, the 3D printing manufacturing line is significantly easier to change than the traditional manufacturing production line.

That’s why this is perfect for the bulk equipment production process. This is why industries like construction, automotive, aerospace, and more have started using FDM 3D printers. This, in turn, has propelled the demand for rugged Industrial FDM 3D printers.

For this, Dreambot3D has introduced some of its robust industrial-grade 3D printers in the global market.  If you face issues in finding a perfect Industrial FDM 3d printer, just get in touch with Dreambot3D now. No matter what are your 3D printer requirements, we have different options for you that will come under your budget.

You might be thinking about why you should go to Dreambot3D’s printers? To get your answer, check out the below-mentioned points.

• If you look in the market, you will find FDM 3D printers with a straightforward structure, and they also will have the acrylic outer box. That means those printers are not durable enough to run for years. Besides, it is not safe to use an FDM 3D printer that has a low building structure. But this will not be there with Dreambot3D’s FDM 3D printer. As a leading 3D printer manufacturing company, all the printers come with a very stable structure. In terms of safety, all the 3D printers have integral sheet metal chassis, and the enclosed structure makes it safer to use.  The XYZ axis also works stably even when running the machine at a higher speed. If you want to enjoy the maximum accuracy level, you can always trust Dreambot3D’s FDM 3D printers.
• There should be the “Constant Temperature System” to keep the machine warm throughout the process in an industrial FDM printer. This system heats the chassis’ entire printing control to the desired temperature to keep the printing process smooth. Why is this system important? Well, when you will use heat-resistant printing materials, like Nylon, carbon fiber, PC, ABS, and more, they will not be warped and drawn during the printing process. However, not all the printers available in the market have this feature. Dreambot3D has provided this system in its machine to offer you a quality 3D printing experience.
• You might have a costly FDM 3D printer at your company, but if the printer has a complex operating system, it can create challenges for the users as they don’t know how to operate the machine. So, this is where you will need an FDM 3D printer with having easy to use OS and interface. This what the FDM 3D printers of Dreambot3D offer. You won’t take much time to understand how to use the machine and start your project faster.
• What will you prefer, a machine with a 5-inch screen or a large 7-inch screen? The obvious answer will be an FDM 3D printer machine with a large 7-inches color screen. Because you can see the text and the options clearly to smoothly operate the machine. While FDM 3D printers of Dreambot3D come with a large screen, its competitors offer the machine with a small 5-inch color screen. That’s why there is an excellent demand for Dreambot3D 3D printers.
• With the competitors’ products, you will get only a few options in the regular sizes. Sometimes, based on your requirements, the machine needs to customize. This can further add up to the cost. On the other hand, the market test is also insufficient, and they don’t have a stable market demand. However, Dreambot3D offers a complete range of sizes. Based on your requirements, you can choose the printers, and there is no need to do any customization.
• What’s more? Dreamboat’s market condition is relatively stable. Some of the most popular models you can try out are L5-400/500/600/800/1000 and L8-400/500/600. Visit the official site and check out the products now.
• You should prefer to buy the FDM 3D printers from a manufacturer with years of experience in this. Dreambot3D has more than 8 years of experience in producing industrial-grade machines.  The company has a strong track record in manufacturing industrial-grade FDM 3D printers. Besides, the company has a rich production capacity with a robust R&D capability. It has been seen that some of the 3D printer manufacturers only deal with producing desktop-level printers, and that won’t match your bulk 3D printing need. These companies won’t be able to offer you the desired services as they have an insufficient market, experience, and R&D capability. Besides, they only provide identical models.
• Dreambot3D manufacture powerful and superior quality, industrial-grade 3D printers that come in different styles and sizes. Besides, the company always maintains sufficient stock of the machines to ship the product within just 3 to 5 days after placing the order. You can also go for the customized FDM3D printers that can be dispatched within 10 to 15 days. With other manufacturers, you may face a delay in product delivery.

With Dreambot3D’s FDM 3D printers, you won’t face any downtime as they also offer 24×7 hours technical support to keep the machine running at its maximum level. Don’t think much and buy Dreambot3D Industrial FDM 3D printers to boost up your production capacity.