Orient for the working load
Place the strongest filament paths along the primary load direction and avoid relying on layer-to-layer strength for critical clips, tabs or thin arms.
FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING
FDM 3D Printing Services
Produce cost-effective thermoplastic parts for design checks, functional testing, fixtures and low-volume use. FDM is especially practical for fast iterations, robust components and larger-format prototypes.
- Cost-effective prototypes
- Engineering thermoplastics
- Fast design iterations
DESIGN GUIDE
Design Around Layer Direction and Support Access
FDM builds parts one extruded road at a time, so orientation affects strength, surface texture and support marks. Wall thickness, overhangs and critical interfaces should be planned around how the part will be loaded and assembled.
- Maximum build size
- Confirmed by machine and material
- Typical tolerance
- ±0.5%, minimum ±0.5 mm
- Typical layer thickness
- 0.10–0.30 mm
- Minimum wall
- From 1.0 mm
- Minimum feature
- From 0.8 mm
- Available finishes
- As-printed, sanded, sealed or painted
Control walls and thick sections
Use consistent wall thickness where possible. Hollow or rib large solid areas to reduce print time, material use and heat-related distortion.
Keep supports away from key faces
Design self-supporting angles where practical and place required supports on hidden or accessible surfaces that can be cleaned and finished.
All FDM projects are quoted with a production lead time starting from 3 days.
FDM MATERIALS
Three Clear Starting Points
Choose the thermoplastic around stiffness, impact, heat, outdoor exposure and surface requirements. OUJI confirms the final material, build orientation and finishing route after reviewing the part.
01
ABS / ASA
Housings, fixtures and durable general-purpose prototypes
- Key traits
- Tough · Practical · Finishable
- Colors
- Black / White / Gray / Custom options
- Lead time
- From 3 days
02
PC / PC-ABS
Strong prototypes and heat-exposed functional components
- Key traits
- Strong · Heat resistant · Impact resistant
- Colors
- Natural / Black
- Lead time
- From 3 days
03
Nylon / CF Nylon
Wear-resistant fixtures, brackets and lightweight tooling
- Key traits
- Tough · Wear resistant · Stiff options
- Colors
- Natural / Black
- Lead time
- From 3 days
HOW FDM WORKS
A Heated Nozzle Builds the Part One Layer at a Time
FDM feeds thermoplastic filament through a heated nozzle and deposits it along a programmed path. Each layer bonds to the one below, while removable or soluble supports hold overhangs and complex features during the build.- 01
Fast, economical iteration
Design revisions can be printed quickly without tooling, making FDM effective for early engineering loops and fit checks.
- 02
Engineering thermoplastics
Material options range from practical ABS and ASA to heat-resistant polycarbonate and reinforced nylon.
- 03
Practical large parts
Larger housings, covers and fixtures can be built as one piece or split into controlled bonded sections.
- 04
Low tooling commitment
Functional parts, assembly aids and short-run components can be produced without molds or dedicated dies.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Where FDM Adds the Most Value
Concept and fit models
Affordable physical parts for envelope, interface and assembly reviews.
Jigs and fixtures
Lightweight nests, drill guides, checking tools and assembly aids for shop-floor use.
Functional prototypes
Thermoplastic housings, brackets and mechanisms for practical engineering tests.
Low-volume components
Custom covers, replacement parts and non-cosmetic end-use components without tooling.