Today's Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology can produce accurate, durable prototypes and production-grade parts using high-performance thermoplastics. Real production thermoplastics are stable and have no appreciable warping, shrinkage, or moisture absorption, like resins and powders.

Since its early days, FDM Technology has been identified by industrial thermoplastics, and the process was originally known for ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). But materials for FDM have advanced and evolved. Today, there are five versions of ABS, each mechanically superior to the original ABS formulation. And the FDM material family has expanded to include ten options, including two engineered thermoplastics.

FDM systems such as Fortus 3D Production Systems from Stratysis Inc are real, practical alternatives to traditional manufacturing technologies, and can produce parts that cannot be made with other processes. The technology unlocks a whole new realm of possibilities for product designers and manufacturers alike.