The key advantages and disadvantages of this technology are summarized below:

Advantages

• FDM is the most cost-effective method for producing custom thermoplastic parts and prototypes.
• The turnaround time for using FDM is short, due to the widespread availability of this technology.
• A wide range of thermoplastic materials is available that are suitable for both prototyping and some non-commercial applications.

Limitations

• FDM has the lowest precision and dimensional resolution compared to other 3D printing technologies, making it unsuitable for parts with complex details.
• FDM parts are likely to have visible layer lines, so post-processing is required for a smooth surface.
• The mechanism of layer adhesion makes FDM parts inherently anisotropic.