[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":389},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origami:post:en:fdm-3d-printing-explained":3,"origami:site-settings:en":168,"origami:services:en":193,"origami:page:en:shared":258},{"id":4,"locale":5,"slug":6,"title":7,"seo":8,"excerpt":10,"cover":13,"author":18,"publishedAt":22,"updatedAt":22,"readingTimeMinutes":23,"featured":12,"category":24,"related":28,"body":91,"alternates":164,"noindexLocales":167},"20","en","fdm-3d-printing-explained","FDM 3D printing explained: how it works and what it is good for",{"title":9,"description":10,"ogImage":11,"noindex":12},"FDM 3D printing explained: how it works","How FDM printing builds parts layer by layer, what it does well, where it falls short, and how to tell if it fits your part.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002Ffdm-3d-printing-explained-og.jpg",false,{"url":14,"alt":15,"width":16,"height":17},"\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002Ffdm-3d-printing-explained-1200.webp","Close-up of an FDM 3D printer extruder feeding orange filament",1200,675,{"name":19,"role":20,"avatar":21},"Origami team","Technical editor",null,"2026-10-27T08:00:00Z",5,{"id":25,"slug":26,"title":27},"5","technology","Technology",[29,51,69],{"id":30,"locale":5,"slug":31,"title":32,"seo":33,"alternates":37,"noindexLocales":40,"excerpt":35,"cover":41,"category":44,"author":48,"publishedAt":49,"updatedAt":49,"readingTimeMinutes":23,"featured":50},"22","pla-petg-abs-tpu-how-to-choose","PLA, PETG, ABS or TPU: how to choose the right material",{"title":34,"description":35,"ogImage":36,"noindex":12},"PLA, PETG, ABS or TPU: choosing a material","A practical comparison of the four materials we mainly print with: strength, heat resistance, flexibility and typical uses.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002Fpla-petg-abs-tpu-how-to-choose-og.jpg",{"az":38,"en":31,"ru":39},"pla-petg-abs-tpu-hansini-secmeli","pla-petg-abs-tpu-kak-vybrat-material",[],{"url":42,"alt":43,"width":16,"height":17},"\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002Fpla-petg-abs-tpu-how-to-choose-1200.webp","Orange and green filament spools on a printer spool holder",{"id":45,"slug":46,"title":47},"6","materials","Materials",{"name":19,"role":20},"2026-10-28T08:00:00Z",true,{"id":52,"locale":5,"slug":53,"title":54,"seo":55,"alternates":59,"noindexLocales":62,"excerpt":57,"cover":63,"category":66,"author":67,"publishedAt":68,"updatedAt":68,"readingTimeMinutes":23,"featured":12},"21","3d-printing-vs-injection-moulding-small-batches","3D printing or injection moulding: which is cheaper for a small batch",{"title":56,"description":57,"ogImage":58,"noindex":12},"3D printing vs injection moulding for small batches","Tooling cost, unit cost and lead time compared, with a simple break-even calculation to decide for your own quantity.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printing-vs-injection-moulding-small-batches-og.jpg",{"az":60,"en":53,"ru":61},"3d-cap-ve-tezyiq-altinda-tokme-kicik-partiya","3d-pechat-ili-lite-pod-davleniem-malaya-partiya",[],{"url":64,"alt":65,"width":16,"height":17},"\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printing-vs-injection-moulding-small-batches-1200.webp","Black injection-moulded plastic parts on a light surface",{"id":25,"slug":26,"title":27},{"name":19,"role":20},"2026-10-24T08:00:00Z",{"id":70,"locale":5,"slug":71,"title":72,"seo":73,"alternates":77,"noindexLocales":80,"excerpt":75,"cover":81,"category":84,"author":88,"publishedAt":89,"updatedAt":89,"readingTimeMinutes":90,"featured":12},"24","how-to-prepare-a-file-for-fdm-3d-printing","How to prepare a file for FDM 3D printing: STL, STEP and 3MF",{"title":74,"description":75,"ogImage":76,"noindex":12},"Preparing a file for FDM 3D printing","Which file format to send, how to check units and scale, and what to fix in the model before it goes to the printer.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-prepare-a-file-for-fdm-3d-printing-og.jpg",{"az":78,"en":71,"ru":79},"fdm-3d-cap-ucun-fayl-hazirlamaq","kak-podgotovit-fayl-dlya-fdm-3d-pechati",[],{"url":82,"alt":83,"width":16,"height":17},"\u002Fmedia\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-prepare-a-file-for-fdm-3d-printing-1200.webp","Slicer software on a laptop next to a lattice-patterned 3D-printed part",{"id":85,"slug":86,"title":87},"7","design","Design",{"name":19,"role":20},"2026-10-25T08:00:00Z",4,[92,95,100,102,104,107,116,118,121,123,125,128,130,132,135,137,140,142,150,153,155,158,160,162],{"type":93,"text":94},"paragraph","FDM stands for fused deposition modelling. It is the most widespread way to 3D print plastic parts, and it is the only process we use. This guide explains how it works, what it does well, where it has limits, and how to tell whether it fits your part.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":98,"text":99},"heading",2,"how-fdm-works","How FDM works",{"type":93,"text":101},"A printer feeds a thermoplastic filament into a heated nozzle, commonly 0.4 mm wide. The plastic melts, is pushed out as a thin line and is laid down on a build plate. The nozzle draws one layer; then the distance between nozzle and part grows by a fraction of a millimetre and the next layer goes on top of the last. Typical layer heights are between 0.1 and 0.3 mm. Thinner layers give a smoother surface but take longer, so layer height is one of the main trade-offs between quality and time.",{"type":93,"text":103},"Where a part overhangs and has nothing underneath, the printer builds temporary supports that are removed afterwards. The way the part is turned on the plate decides how many supports it needs and how strong it will be, which is why orientation is part of every print plan.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":105,"text":106},"what-fdm-does-well","What FDM does well",{"type":108,"ordered":12,"items":109},"list",[110,111,112,113,114,115],"Functional parts in durable engineering plastics, not only visual models.","Fixtures, jigs and tooling aids that make production easier.","Enclosures, housings and brackets made in a single piece.","Large parts, printed in one piece or in sections that are joined.","A low cost per part, because there is no tooling to pay for.","Fast iteration: change the file, print again and compare versions within days.",{"type":93,"text":117},"Because no mould or cutting tool is needed, there is no tooling cost to spread over the parts. File review and job setup are fixed costs, so a very small order costs more per part than a larger one, but FDM is still a natural choice for prototypes and small batches.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":119,"text":120},"limits","Where FDM has limits",{"type":93,"text":122},"Layer lines are visible on most surfaces, although sanding and painting can hide them. A printed part is weaker between layers than along them, so the direction of the load matters. As a generic rule of thumb, a well-tuned FDM printer holds around ±0.2 mm or ±0.5 % of the dimension, whichever is larger. This is a general figure for the process, not a promise for any specific part.",{"type":93,"text":124},"Fine details are limited by the nozzle width, so features much narrower than 0.4 mm will not appear. Overhangs steeper than about 45 degrees need supports, which can leave marks on the surface they touch. Holes come out slightly small and sharp inside corners are slightly rounded, which a good design allows for in advance.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":126,"text":127},"materials-for-fdm","Materials for FDM",{"type":93,"text":129},"We mainly print with four materials. PLA is rigid and easy to print, good for models, prototypes and indoor parts. PETG is tougher and handles moisture and chemicals better, which makes it a sound default for fixtures and housings.",{"type":93,"text":131},"ABS withstands more heat and can be sanded and painted. TPU is a flexible, rubber-like material for gaskets, grips and bumpers. The [materials page](\u002Fmaterials) lists them side by side, and [our comparison guide](\u002Fblog\u002Fpla-petg-abs-tpu-how-to-choose) explains how to choose between them.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":133,"text":134},"when-fdm-is-not-the-answer","When FDM is not the answer",{"type":93,"text":136},"If you need a very fine, glossy surface straight from the machine, or moulded-grade uniformity across thousands of identical pieces, FDM is not the best fit and we will say so. For large quantities the better question is usually whether to print or to make a mould; [we compare 3D printing and injection moulding](\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printing-vs-injection-moulding-small-batches) with a simple break-even calculation.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":138,"text":139},"a-typical-job","What a typical FDM job looks like",{"type":93,"text":141},"Seeing the steps makes it easier to understand where the time and the cost go.",{"type":108,"ordered":50,"items":143},[144,145,146,147,148,149],"The file is reviewed for printability: walls, overhangs, dimensions and orientation.","The slicing settings are chosen: layer height, number of walls, infill and supports.","The part is printed, which takes from under an hour for a small part to a day or more for a large one.","Supports are removed and the part is cleaned.","Finishing is applied if requested: sanding, priming, painting or assembly.","The part is inspected against the drawing and delivered.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":151,"text":152},"infill-and-strength","Infill and strength",{"type":93,"text":154},"Printed parts are usually not solid inside. The outer walls are solid, and the inside is filled with a pattern at a chosen density, commonly 20-40 % for general parts. For strength, the number and thickness of the walls usually matters more than the infill, which is why thin-walled parts are fragile even at a high infill setting. A part that carries a high load is printed with thicker walls and denser infill.",{"type":96,"level":97,"id":156,"text":157},"does-it-fit","Does FDM fit your part?",{"type":93,"text":159},"A quick check: the part is plastic, it needs to work or be tested rather than only look good, you need a single piece or a small batch, and a visible layer pattern is acceptable or can be sanded away. If most of these are true, FDM is probably a good match. If you are not sure about one of them, that is the question to ask before you spend money.",{"type":93,"text":161},"Have a part in mind? [Send us your file](\u002Fcontact) and we will tell you honestly whether FDM suits it.",{"type":93,"text":163},"Cover photo: [Jakub Żerdzicki](https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002F@jakubzerdzicki) on [Unsplash](https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002Fphotos\u002F46dKqAGqQAw).",{"az":165,"en":6,"ru":166},"fdm-3d-cap-nedir-nece-isleyir","chto-takoe-fdm-3d-pechat",[],{"locale":5,"siteName":169,"tagline":170,"contact":171,"social":174,"stats":175,"seo":184,"analytics":188,"titleSuffix":190,"organization":191},"Origami 3D Print Studio","From file to form. Precision 3D printing for industry and government.",{"email":172,"phone":173,"whatsapp":173},"hello@origami.az","+994552089300",[],[176,179,182],{"value":177,"label":178},"4","materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU",{"value":180,"label":181},"FDM","our printing technology",{"value":177,"label":183},"file formats: STL, STEP, 3MF, OBJ",{"title":185,"description":186,"ogImage":187,"noindex":12},"Origami: precision 3D printing for industry and government","Origami is a 3D print studio for industry and government clients. Rapid prototyping, small-batch production and functional parts, from file to form.","\u002Fmedia\u002F0aabc350184d.jpg",{"gaMeasurementId":189},"G-N3JRD9TLMJ","Origami",{"legalName":169,"logoUrl":192},"\u002Fmedia\u002Ff2bac61d82c2.png",[194,208,220,233,245],{"id":177,"locale":5,"slug":195,"title":196,"seo":197,"alternates":200,"noindexLocales":203,"order":204,"summary":205,"technologies":206},"rapid-prototyping","Rapid prototyping, in days not weeks",{"title":21,"description":198,"ogImage":199,"noindex":12},"Send a file and get a functional prototype within a few working days. Precision 3D printing from Origami for industry and government.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fprojects\u002Fprecision-parts-inspection-og.jpg",{"az":201,"en":195,"ru":202},"suretli-prototipleme","bystroe-prototipirovanie",[],1,"Send a file and get a functional prototype within a few working days.",[207],"fdm",{"id":25,"locale":5,"slug":209,"title":210,"seo":211,"alternates":214,"noindexLocales":217,"order":97,"summary":218,"technologies":219},"small-batch-production","Small-batch production",{"title":21,"description":212,"ogImage":213,"noindex":12},"Repeatable batches of parts, from 10 to 500, with no tooling cost. Precision 3D printing from Origami for industry and government.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fprojects\u002Frepeat-batch-printed-parts-og.jpg",{"az":215,"en":209,"ru":216},"kicik-partiyali-istehsal","melkoseriynoe-proizvodstvo",[],"Repeatable batches of parts, from 10 to 500, with no tooling cost.",[207],{"id":45,"locale":5,"slug":221,"title":222,"seo":223,"alternates":226,"noindexLocales":229,"order":230,"summary":231,"technologies":232},"functional-parts","Functional parts",{"title":21,"description":224,"ogImage":225,"noindex":12},"Engineering parts that withstand load, heat and wear. Precision 3D printing from Origami for industry and government.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fprojects\u002Findustrial-parts-set-og.jpg",{"az":227,"en":221,"ru":228},"funksional-detallar","funkcionalnye-detali",[],3,"Engineering parts that withstand load, heat and wear.",[207],{"id":85,"locale":5,"slug":234,"title":235,"seo":236,"alternates":239,"noindexLocales":242,"order":90,"summary":243,"technologies":244},"design-for-printing","Design for printing",{"title":21,"description":237,"ogImage":238,"noindex":12},"We adapt your part to 3D printing: lighter, stronger and cheaper. Precision 3D printing from Origami for industry and government.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fprojects\u002Fcad-to-printed-part-og.jpg",{"az":240,"en":234,"ru":241},"cap-ucun-dizayn","proektirovanie-dlya-pechati",[],"We adapt your part to 3D printing: lighter, stronger and cheaper.",[207],{"id":246,"locale":5,"slug":247,"title":248,"seo":249,"alternates":252,"noindexLocales":255,"order":23,"summary":256,"technologies":257},"8","post-processing","Post-processing",{"title":21,"description":250,"ogImage":251,"noindex":12},"Sanding, painting and assembly so the part is ready to hand over. Precision 3D printing from Origami for industry and government.","\u002Fmedia\u002Fprojects\u002Farchitectural-capital-replicas-og.jpg",{"az":253,"en":247,"ru":254},"son-emal","postobrabotka",[],"Sanding, painting and assembly so the part is ready to hand over.",[207],{"key":259,"locale":5,"title":21,"eyebrow":21,"lead":21,"seo":260,"sections":261,"updatedAt":388},"shared",{"title":21,"description":21,"ogImage":21,"noindex":12},[262,285,315,382],{"key":263,"type":264,"eyebrow":265,"title":266,"text":21,"body":267,"items":268,"link":21},"process","cards","How it works","Layer by layer, step by step.",[],[269,273,277,281],{"key":270,"title":271,"text":272,"label":21,"link":21},"step-1","Send your file","STL, STEP or a sketch. We review it and prepare a quote.",{"key":274,"title":275,"text":276,"label":21,"link":21},"step-2","Get a quote","Clear price, material advice and a fixed delivery date.",{"key":278,"title":279,"text":280,"label":21,"link":21},"step-3","We print","Your parts are printed with FDM. Post-processing on request.",{"key":282,"title":283,"text":284,"label":21,"link":21},"step-4","Inspect and ship","Quality check against your drawing, then delivery to your door.",{"key":46,"type":264,"eyebrow":47,"title":286,"text":21,"body":287,"items":288,"link":21},"The right material for the right part.",[],[289,297,303,309],{"key":290,"title":291,"text":292,"label":293,"link":294},"pla","PLA: prototypes and models","Easy to print, rigid and accurate. Good for prototypes, fit checks, models and indoor parts. Not for heat or long outdoor use.","PLA",{"label":295,"href":296},"See all materials","\u002Fmaterials",{"key":298,"title":299,"text":300,"label":301,"link":302},"petg","PETG: tough everyday parts","Tougher than PLA, with better chemical and moisture resistance. A good default for fixtures, guides, trays and housings.","PETG",{"label":295,"href":296},{"key":304,"title":305,"text":306,"label":307,"link":308},"abs","ABS: heat-resistant parts","Withstands more heat than PLA or PETG and can be sanded and painted. Used for enclosures and interior parts.","ABS",{"label":295,"href":296},{"key":310,"title":311,"text":312,"label":313,"link":314},"tpu","TPU: flexible parts","A rubber-like, flexible material for gaskets, grips, bumpers and vibration dampers.","TPU",{"label":295,"href":296},{"key":316,"type":317,"eyebrow":21,"title":21,"text":21,"body":318,"items":319,"link":21},"topics","chips",[],[320,325,329,333,338,341,346,349,354,357,362,367,372,377],{"key":321,"title":322,"text":21,"label":21,"link":323},"services","3D printing services in Baku",{"label":322,"href":324},"\u002Fservices",{"key":195,"title":326,"text":21,"label":21,"link":327},"Rapid prototyping",{"label":326,"href":328},"\u002Fservices\u002Frapid-prototyping",{"key":330,"title":210,"text":21,"label":21,"link":331},"small-batch",{"label":210,"href":332},"\u002Fservices\u002Fsmall-batch-production",{"key":334,"title":335,"text":21,"label":21,"link":336},"no-moulds","Production without moulds",{"label":335,"href":337},"\u002Fblog\u002F3d-printing-vs-injection-moulding-small-batches",{"key":221,"title":222,"text":21,"label":21,"link":339},{"label":222,"href":340},"\u002Fservices\u002Ffunctional-parts",{"key":342,"title":343,"text":21,"label":21,"link":344},"fixtures","Assembly fixtures",{"label":343,"href":345},"\u002Fwork\u002Fassembly-fixtures",{"key":86,"title":235,"text":21,"label":21,"link":347},{"label":235,"href":348},"\u002Fservices\u002Fdesign-for-printing",{"key":350,"title":351,"text":21,"label":21,"link":352},"finishing","Sanding and painting",{"label":351,"href":353},"\u002Fservices\u002Fpost-processing",{"key":46,"title":355,"text":21,"label":21,"link":356},"PLA, PETG, ABS and TPU printing",{"label":355,"href":296},{"key":358,"title":359,"text":21,"label":21,"link":360},"choose-material","How to choose a material",{"label":359,"href":361},"\u002Fblog\u002Fpla-petg-abs-tpu-how-to-choose",{"key":363,"title":364,"text":21,"label":21,"link":365},"projects","Industrial 3D printing projects",{"label":364,"href":366},"\u002Fwork",{"key":368,"title":369,"text":21,"label":21,"link":370},"tenders","3D printing for tenders",{"label":369,"href":371},"\u002Findustries",{"key":373,"title":374,"text":21,"label":21,"link":375},"stl","Printing from an STL file",{"label":374,"href":376},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-prepare-a-file-for-fdm-3d-printing",{"key":378,"title":379,"text":21,"label":21,"link":380},"price","3D printing price",{"label":379,"href":381},"\u002Fblog\u002Fhow-to-request-a-3d-printing-quote",{"key":383,"type":96,"eyebrow":21,"title":384,"text":385,"body":386,"items":387,"link":21},"newsletter","Stay in the loop","Occasional notes on 3D printing for buyers and engineers.",[],[],"2026-10-29T00:00:00Z",1793296711560]