Overview
Two exceptional additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) technologies have been brought together by one company - Stratasys. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), conceived and patented by Stratasys, and PolyJet inkjet printing, patented by the former Objet Ltd., are now companion products. Together, they address the needs of a wide range of applications and an even wider range of industries. FDM Technology is an extrusion-based technology that uses a filament of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic is heated in a liquefier and then deposited in thin layers on a modeling base. PolyJet technology uses inkjet technology. It works by jetting state-of-the-art photopolymer materials in ultra-thin layers onto a build tray - layer by layer - until the high quality prototype is completed. While there is crossover in applications and advantages, these two technology platforms are distinctly different and offer unique benefits. Understanding their similarities and differences will help you select the right technology for your application, demands, and constraints.
Key Takeaways
- Understand how FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies work
- Understand their similarities as well as their unique characteristics
- Learn how FDM and PolyJet compare in operations, output qualities, and material options
- Discover which technology best fits your needs
Speaker
Fred Fischer is director of materials and applications product management at Stratasys. During his 15-year tenure with Stratasys, he has also served in the roles of marketing manager, product manager, and senior applications engineer. Fischer has contributed to the development of new applications for additive manufacturing and he has led global initiatives on application training and education. Fischer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Stout. He is a frequent speaker at domestic and international events related to prototyping and digital manufacturing.