Professional 3D Printing Services in Houston, TX

November 11, 2023

Professional 3D Printing Services in Houston, TXProTek Models & 3D Printing provides professional 3D print services to businesses throughout the Houston area. We have the talent and technology to handle just about any 3D print project from prototypes and scale models to custom and replacement parts for automobiles, aircraft, and more. Contact us today to learn how our 3D print solutions can help your business.

FDM 3D Printing

3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing that is used to create a 3D object based on a digital file. Unlike other manufacturing methods, which produce a workpiece by removing materials, 3D printing creates a workpiece by adding materials layer by layer. While there are many different types of 3D printing technology, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is by far the most popular.

During the FDM process, filaments of a thermoplastic or other production material are melted and extruded through a heated nozzle. The nozzle moves along specific X, Y, and Z axes, depositing the melted material layer by layer to create a three dimensional object. Print quality and speed depends on factors like complexity, size, and resolution of the object.

Advantages of FDM 3D Printing

What makes FDM so popular? FDM provides many advantages over other 3D print technologies. These include:

  • FDM 3D printing supports a wide range of thermoplastic materials (such as PLA, ABS, and PETG, to name a few), allowing for diverse applications.
  • With shorter lead times and lower setup costs, FDM provides a cost-effective way to produce one-off prototypes as well as small to medium production runs of parts
  • FDM allows for the local production of parts, reducing shipping costs and delays.
  • FDM printing is ideal for manufacturing parts with complicated geometries, intricate surface details, and complex inner surfaces.
  • FDM parts can be printed on demand, in short to medium production runs, lowering inventory costs by reducing the risks of over stock or dead stock.
  • FDM can manufacture just about any type of part; parts can be manufactured to be water resistant, heat and cold resistant, chemical resistant, and UV resistant. Depending on the workpiece material, parts created using FDM are suitable for use in a wide range of extreme environments, including the ocean depths and outer space.

FDM 3D Printing Can Be Used for a Wide Range of Applications

  • Prototyping: FDM is used during the product development phase for creating prototypes to test and iterate on designs.
  • Custom and Replacement Parts: FDM provides a cost effective way to produce customized parts for various applications, such as personalized auto parts, medical implants, and consumer goods.
  • Aerospace: FDM is commonly utilized by the aerospace industry for producing lightweight components, tooling, and prototypes.
  • Automotive: Automotive manufacturers use FDM 3D printing to create a wide range of parts, including engine components, brackets, dashboard components, replacement parts for vintage and classic auto parts, and more.
  • Medical and Dental: FDM is used for a variety of medical and dental applications including medical models, dental implants, prosthetics, and orthopedic devices.
  • Consumer Products: Phone cases, household items, and toys are just a few of the consumer goods that can be manufactured using FDM 3D printing.

Your Partner for Professional FDM 3D Printing in Houston, TX

More and more Houston companies are discovering the benefits of FDM 3D printing. If you’re wondering how 3D printing can help your business meet its manufacturing goals, call ProTek Models & 3D Printing. We’ve been providing professional 3D printing solutions to businesses of all types for nearly 20 years; some of our clients include NASA, Oceaneering, Raytheon, Lockheed-Martin, West Coast Customs, and Mitsubishi.

In addition to FDM 3D printing, we also offer state-of-the-art Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, urethane castings services, and custom scale model construction.

Our brand new facility is located just North of Houston in Conroe, TX; we serve customers in Houston and all over the Lone Star State. Contact us through our website or call us at (832) 968-6636 to discuss your 3D print project with our experienced team of engineers and designers and receive a free quote.