Design for Additive Manufacturing: FDM

Course details

Fused deposition modeling (FDM), also known as fused filament fabrication (FFF), is a common type of 3D printing. Whether you are using FDM for prototyping or producing end-use parts, a design for manufacturing process will ensure your parts are easy to manufacture on FDM printers. Join Kacie Hultgren for a comprehensive overview of FDM design principles. Optimize your parts by understanding key concepts like orientation, tolerance, and support material. Learn how to use programs such as Cura and MakerBot Print to visualize your design before 3D printing, and achieve accuracy, fit, and strength. In chapter eight, Kacie uses Fusion 360 to take you step by step through a sample project—a hinged box—that puts these design strategies into action.

Learning objectives
What is FDM?
Thermoplastics and FDM
CAD and CAM
Creating supportless designs
Optimizing for orientation
Achieving accuracy and fit
Visualizing your design with Cura and MakerBot Print
Designing assemblies
Working with Fusion 360
3D printing your design

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - What you need to know
03 - Using the exercise files

1. FDM Basics

04 - Design for manufacturing
05 - What is FDM
06 - Thermoplastics

2. CAD and CAM

07 - CAD vs. CAM
08 - CAM basics in Cura
09 - CAM basics in MakerBot Print
10 - Using third-party GCode Viewer

3. Bases and Supports

11 - Exploring build plate surfaces
12 - Exploring build plate adhesion
13 - Understanding overhangs and support
14 - Creating supportless designs

4. Features and Options

15 - The body of a 3D print
16 - Optimizing line width
17 - Understanding layer height and resolution
18 - Creating small details
19 - Achieving accuracy and fit
20 - Planning for strength and flexibility
21 - Exploring color options

5. Optimizing with Cura

22 - Support material and build plate adhesion
23 - Shells, infill, top, and bottom layers
24 - Small details

6. Optimizing with MakerBot

25 - Support material and rafts
26 - Line width and wall thickness
27 - Shells, infill, roofs, and floors

7. Assemblies

28 - Designing assemblies
29 - Print in place strategies

8. Design a Hinged Box

30 - Setting up your project
31 - Sketching the box
32 - Navigation basics
33 - Modeling the box
34 - Sketching the hinge
35 - Modeling the hinge
36 - Separating the knuckles
37 - Creating components and assembling a joint
38 - 3D printing with Cura
39 - 3D printing with MakerBot Print

Conclusion

40 - Next steps