FDM 3D Printing Canada

FDM (fused deposition modelling, also called fused filament fabrication or FFF) is the most common type of 3D printing. A heated nozzle melts plastic filament and lays it down one thin layer at a time, each fusing to the one below, until the part is complete. It's the lowest-cost way to make strong, functional plastic parts, from one-offs to large-format parts up to 1 m³.

FDM is the lowest-cost way to get strong plastic parts, and the only one of the three that prints parts up to 1 m³ in one piece. It also has the widest material choice, from PLA to carbon fibre filled and chemical-resistant plastics. SLA gives smoother surfaces and finer detail; SLS gives more uniform nylon parts with no supports. Choose FDM for brackets, enclosures, fixtures, large parts and budget batches.

PETG for most everyday parts. ASA for anything that lives outdoors. ABS or polycarbonate for heat and impact. PA6-CF or PET-CF (carbon fibre filled, often spelled carbon fiber) when a part has to be stiff and light, PPA-CF or PPS-CF for high loads and heat, TPU for flexible parts and PVDF for harsh chemicals. Tell us what the part does and we'll recommend one.

Strong enough for real-world use when the material, walls and infill suit the job. FDM parts are strongest along their layers: on the datasheet, PETG is 51 MPa along the layers and 35 MPa across them. For parts that take real load, choose a stronger material or higher infill, or ask us to look over the design.

Most FDM parts are solid walls around a lattice inside, and you choose the infill percentage when you order. Around 15–25% suits most parts; go higher for parts that take load. More infill adds strength but also weight, print time and cost.

±0.25 mm or ±0.5%, whichever is greater. Lower-temperature materials like PLA and PETG hold size best. Flag critical fits such as bearings, press-fits and mating holes and we'll review them before printing.

Up to 1 m³ in one piece in-house, which makes FDM our large-format option. Larger parts are printed in sections that key together and bond cleanly; the life-size TEDxVictoria stage sign was built this way. Through our partner network we can also print single parts up to 2100 × 700 × 900 mm.

Yes. No tooling and no minimum order quantity, so a batch is just a file and a quantity: 400+ thread caps for Bird Construction, 200 heritage brackets for the City of Victoria. Reorders print from the same file, so every batch matches.

PLA and PETG come in 12 colours each, plus matte and wood-look PLA. ASA, ABS and TPU come in a few colours each, and the carbon fibre filled materials are black. Need a specific colour? Ask and we'll try to source it.

Yes. ASA and ASA-CF are made for sun and weather, and PVDF shows no strength loss after long UV exposure. PETG handles light outdoor use. Avoid PLA outside: it softens in heat.

Yes, FDM parts show fine layer lines. Finer layer heights reduce them. If a smooth cosmetic surface is the priority, SLA is usually the better fit: see why SLA prints smoother.

Most orders ship in 2–4 business days, with tracked shipping across Canada or free local pickup in Victoria, BC. Very large parts and big batches can take longer; rush may be available.

It depends on size, material, print time and quantity. PLA and PETG are the cheapest; carbon fibre filled and high-performance plastics cost more. Upload a file to the instant quote for a price in seconds. No MOQ, shipped from Victoria, BC across Canada.