FDM 3D Printing Service
FDM 3D Printing Service for Strong Thermoplastic Parts
Industrial fused deposition modeling on Stratasys Fortus 450mc and Fortus 900mc systems in Cypress, CA. Production-grade ABS, PC, nylon, ULTEM and PEEK parts, from small fixtures to single pieces up to 36 × 24 × 36 in. ISO 9001:2015 certified.
- Fortus 450mc + Fortus 900mc
- 914 × 610 × 914 mm max build
- 12 engineering thermoplastics
- ISO 9001:2015 certified
Why FDM
Real thermoplastics, built for function
FDM extrudes production-grade thermoplastic layer by layer to build strong, dimensionally stable parts. Because the materials are the same families used in molding and machining, FDM parts hold up to heat, chemicals and real mechanical loads.
Engineering materials
ABS, ASA, polycarbonate, nylon, carbon-fiber nylon, ULTEM 9085, ULTEM 1010 and PEEK, plus ESD-safe and medical-grade PC-ISO.
Large single parts
Our Fortus 900mc builds up to 36 × 24 × 36 in (914 × 610 × 914 mm), so big fixtures, housings and panels print in one piece.
Heat and flame performance
ULTEM resins handle heat deflection temperatures above 150 °C, with flame-retardant grades for aerospace and transportation.
Soluble supports
Soluble support material lets us print internal channels and complex cavities, and build sacrificial cores for composite tooling.
Our machines
Two Stratasys Fortus systems, in house
We run FDM parts on both the Stratasys Fortus 450mc and the Fortus 900mc. The 450mc handles most prototypes, fixtures and production batches. The 900mc takes the large parts and full-size tooling. We pick the machine for your part, and the quote covers it either way.
Stratasys Fortus 450mc
| Build envelope | 406 × 355 × 406 mm (16 × 14 × 16 in) |
| Layer heights | 0.127, 0.178, 0.254 and 0.330 mm (0.005 to 0.013 in) |
| Accuracy | ±0.127 mm or ±0.0015 mm/mm, whichever is greater |
| Best for | Prototypes, jigs and fixtures, end-use production batches |
Stratasys Fortus 900mc
| Build envelope | 914 × 610 × 914 mm (36 × 24 × 36 in) |
| Layer heights | 0.178, 0.254, 0.330 and 0.508 mm (0.007 to 0.020 in) |
| Accuracy | ±0.089 mm or ±0.0015 mm/mm, whichever is greater |
| Best for | Large one-piece parts, layup and composite tooling, full-size prototypes |
Accuracy depends on geometry, orientation and material. Specs are from Stratasys. Parts larger than 36 × 24 × 36 in can be printed in sections and joined.
From our shop
FDM parts we print
Functional prototypes, production parts and finished models from our Fortus systems.
Materials
FDM materials we run
| Material | Colors | Tensile XZ / ZX (MPa) | Elongation XZ / ZX (%) | HDT @ 66 psi (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS-M30 | Black, blue, dark gray, ivory, red, white | 32 / 28 | 7 / 2 | 96 |
| ABS-ESD7 | Black | 36 / 36 | 3 / 3 | 96 |
| ASA | Multiple colors | 27 / 27 | 9 / 3 | 98 |
| Nylon 12 | Black | 49.3 / 41.8 | 30 / 6.5 | 91.9 |
| Nylon 12CF | Black | 76 / 43 | 1.9 / 1.4 | 143 |
| PC-ABS | Black | 41 / 41 | 6 / 6 | 110 |
| PC | White | 57 / 42 | 4.8 / 2.5 | 138 |
| PC-ISO | Translucent natural, white | 57 / 57 | 4 / 4 | 133 |
| Prototyping PLA | Black, blue, red, white | 50 / 37 | 2.9 / 1.9 | 55 |
| ULTEM 9085 | Black, tan | 47 / 33 | 5.8 / 2.2 | 153 |
| ULTEM 1010 | Amber (natural) | 64 / 41 | 3.3 / 2 | 216 |
| PEEK | Natural | Data sheet on request | ||
Linked names open the Stratasys data sheet. Email orders@snlcreative.com for the PEEK data sheet or help choosing a material.
Applications
What FDM is used for
Jigs, fixtures and tooling
Assembly fixtures, drill guides, check gauges and layup tools that are lighter and faster than machined ones.
Aerospace and transportation
ULTEM 9085 and 1010 parts for ducts, brackets and interior components that need heat and flame performance.
Functional prototypes
Housings, brackets and mechanisms tested in the same kind of plastic the production part will use.
End-use production parts
Low-volume parts, replacement parts for discontinued or classic equipment, and custom enclosures.
Large models and props
Full-size prototypes, architectural and medical models, and props for the entertainment industry.
Composite tooling
Soluble sacrificial cores and layup tools for carbon fiber and fiberglass parts.
Design guidelines
FDM design guidelines
| Feature | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Build volume | Up to 914 × 610 × 914 mm (36 × 24 × 36 in) on the 900mc; 406 × 355 × 406 mm (16 × 14 × 16 in) on the 450mc | Some materials run on one machine only; we'll confirm in your quote |
| Tolerances | ±0.089 to ±0.127 mm or ±0.0015 mm/mm, whichever is greater | Z is typically looser than XY; tell us your critical dimensions |
| Wall thickness | Minimum 1.2 to 1.5 mm (0.047 to 0.06 in) | At least 2× the extrusion width; thinner walls lose resolution |
| Ribs | Minimum 1.5 mm (0.06 in) thick | Adds strength; must meet the wall minimum |
| Holes | Minimum 1.0 mm (0.04 in) diameter | Best with the axis vertical; drill or ream for precision fits |
| Text and small features | Minimum 1.2 to 1.5 mm high and thick | Avoid fine or condensed fonts; place on the XY plane |
| Gaps | Minimum 5 mm (0.2 in) | Leaves room for clean support removal |
| Overhangs | Up to 45° from vertical without support | Gradual slopes print best |
| Bridges | Maximum unsupported span 5 mm | Longer spans may sag or need support |
| Fillets | Add wherever possible | Reduce stress and the need for support |
| Infill | Ultralight (single cross-hatch), light (double cross-hatch) or solid | Trade strength against cost and build time |
| Orientation | Put holes, text and tabs parallel to the build plate | Improves accuracy, strength and finish |
| Surface finish | Visible layer lines, mostly on curves and angles | Sanding, priming and painting available |
Process
From file to finished FDM parts
- Upload your CAD. STL, STEP or 3MF through the instant quote, or email orders@snlcreative.com.
- Design check. We review walls, overhangs and orientation, pick the material and machine, and flag anything that could fail.
- Printing. Parts build on the Fortus 450mc or 900mc with soluble or breakaway supports.
- Support removal and finishing. Supports are dissolved or removed, then parts are sanded, primed or painted if you choose.
- Inspection and shipping. Parts are checked under our ISO 9001:2015 quality system and shipped from Cypress, CA.
Compare
FDM, SLS or desktop FFF?
- Choose FDM for large parts, ULTEM and other engineering thermoplastics, and tooling.
- Choose SLS for nylon parts with complex geometry, no support marks and production quantities.
- Choose FFF on our Bambu Lab farm for low-cost prototypes and quick iterations in common filaments.
FAQ
FDM 3D printing questions
What is FDM 3D printing?+
Fused deposition modeling (FDM) melts thermoplastic filament and extrudes it layer by layer onto a build platform. Industrial FDM uses production-grade materials such as ABS, polycarbonate, nylon and ULTEM.
What's the largest FDM part you can print?+
Up to 914 × 610 × 914 mm (36 × 24 × 36 in) in one piece on our Fortus 900mc. Larger parts are printed in sections and joined.
What's the difference between the Fortus 450mc and 900mc?+
Both are industrial Stratasys FDM systems. The 450mc has a 16 × 14 × 16 in build envelope and finer layer options. The 900mc has a 36 × 24 × 36 in envelope for large parts and tooling. We choose the right one for your part.
How accurate is FDM?+
Typical accuracy is ±0.089 to ±0.127 mm or ±0.0015 mm per mm, whichever is greater, depending on the machine, material, geometry and orientation.
Is FDM strong enough for end-use parts?+
Yes. Materials such as ULTEM 9085, PC and Nylon 12CF are used for production fixtures, aerospace parts and end-use components. Parts are strongest along the layers, so we orient them for the loads they'll see.
What file formats do you accept?+
STL, STEP and 3MF work best. For tight-tolerance parts, send STEP so we can check your critical dimensions.
Can FDM parts be finished or painted?+
Yes. We remove supports, then sand, prime and paint in house. Tell us the finish you need when you send your files.
How long does FDM printing take?+
Lead time depends on part geometry, size and material. Send your files for review and we will confirm a ship date with your quote.
How do I get an FDM quote?+
Upload your file to our instant quote for FDM pricing in minutes, or email orders@snlcreative.com if you need a specific material or a large part.
Ready for strong FDM parts?
Upload your CAD for an instant price, or ask us about large parts, ULTEM and tooling.
