FDM has a reputation problem.
Many engineers still associate it with prototypes, hobby printers, and temporary solutions.
Yet every month we manufacture above 300 kg of functional parts using FDM, where roughly 80% of production supports real industrial applications—not prototypes.
The difference isn’t the printer.
It’s understanding where FDM fits, how to design for it, and how to build a repeatable production process.
Production Reality
Every production process has its strengths and limitations. FDM is no different.
Today, we use FDM to manufacture everything from single replacement parts to recurring production batches and end-use components.
Only around 20% of our monthly work consists of prototypes or one-off requests. The majority is made up of functional components, production tooling, machine parts, fixtures, housings, and repeat production.
For us, that reflects where industrial FDM has matured over the last few years.
Engineering Before Printing
Successful FDM production starts long before a printer begins manufacturing.
Some of the biggest decisions happen during engineering:
selecting the right material
defining wall thickness
choosing print orientation
considering tolerances
planning fastening methods
understanding how loads travel through the part
Small design decisions often have a much bigger impact on reliability than increasing infill or changing printer settings.
Industrial Materials Make The Difference
Material selection is often the deciding factor between a successful production part and an unsuccessful one.
Although materials like PLA and PETG certainly have their place, much of our production work focuses on engineering-grade materials designed for industrial environments.
Our favorites:
ASA
PC
PA6
TPU
PC-ABS
PA-CF
PPA-CF
PPS-CF
ESD-safe materials
Flame-retardant materials
Choosing the right material is about understanding the application—not simply selecting the strongest or most expensive option.
Choosing The Right Process
One of the questions we receive most often is:
“Should this part be produced using FDM or SLS?”
The honest answer is:
It depends.
Sometimes FDM is clearly the better solution.
Sometimes SLS offers advantages.
Occasionally, conventional manufacturing remains the best option.
Our role is not to convince customers to use one technology over another. It is to help determine which manufacturing process best matches the part, the production volume, the material requirements, and the intended application.
Good engineering is about making informed decisions—not forcing every component through the same process.
Beyond Manufacturing
We believe one of the most valuable things we can offer is not simply manufacturing capacity.
It is helping engineering teams understand where additive manufacturing creates real value.
That might mean adapting a design for FDM, recommending a different material, improving manufacturability, or even suggesting a different production technology altogether.
Those conversations often create more value than the manufacturing itself.
Curious whether FDM could help your company?
Whether you’re evaluating a new product, looking to replace a traditionally manufactured component, or simply wondering if FDM is the right choice, we’d be happy to think along with you.
Sometimes the answer is FDM.
Sometimes it isn’t.
Either way, we’re always happy to discuss the possibilities.
→ Discuss your application