Which additive manufacturing technique uses thermoplastic filament?

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a popular additive manufacturing technique that specifically uses thermoplastic filament as its primary material. In this process, a continuous strand of thermoplastic material is heated and extruded through a moving nozzle to build a part layer by layer. The thermoplastic filament is available in various materials, including PLA, ABS, and PETG, which allows for a range of mechanical properties and applications.

The key aspect of FDM is its ability to manufacture parts by melting the filament and depositing it in precise locations based on a pre-designed computer model. As each layer cools, it solidifies and adheres to the previous layer, resulting in a solid 3D object. The versatility and accessibility of the thermoplastics used in FDM make it a favored choice for prototyping, hobby projects, and even functional parts in certain applications.

In contrast, other additive techniques mentioned, such as Stereolithography (SLA) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), utilize different forms of materials, such as liquid resins or powdered metals, respectively. Electron Beam Melting (EBM) uses metal powders and focuses on metal fabrication. Therefore, the unique characteristic of FDM in using thermoplastic filament is