FDM 101: AM Fundamentals (MEX)

FDM/MEX is the most accessible additive manufacturing technology and the starting point for almost every manufacturer. This course gives you a solid operational foundation: from printer anatomy to a first successful print.

What you will learn

• How an extruder with hotend and cold-end works and why the thermal barrier defines quality
• Cartesian, CoreXY and delta kinematics – when each is worth choosing
• Core slicer parameters: layer height, line width, infill, retraction
• Proper bed leveling and first-layer adhesion
• Choosing between PLA, PETG and ABS based on the part’s purpose
• Diagnosing the most common issues: stringing, warping, under-extrusion
• Safe maintenance: lubrication, nozzle cleaning, PTFE tube replacement

Course outline

• Lesson 1: What FDM/MEX is – process, history and industrial use
• Lesson 2: Printer anatomy – frame, axes, extruder, hotend, bed
• Lesson 3: Slicer workflow with a real STL file
• Lesson 4: Calibration – flow rate, e-steps, PID, first layer
• Lesson 5: Materials for beginners – PLA, PETG, ABS
• Lesson 6: First print, end to end
• Lesson 7: Maintenance and common issues

Prerequisites

None. The course is designed for complete beginners with no prior 3D printing or CAD experience.

Outcome

By the end you will be able to set up an FDM printer on your own, prepare a file in a slicer, get a clean first layer and resolve typical defects – without relying on stock profiles.

Who it is for

Beginners in additive manufacturing, engineers switching technology, technology teachers, makers, and entrepreneurs evaluating whether 3D printing fits their business need.