Comparing Infill Options for FDM

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing technology that builds a part layer by layer by depositing heated thermoplastic along an extrusion path. In this process, there are several different ways the interior areas of a part can be interpreted when the part is built. Infill describes how those interior areas of a part should be filled in.

Xometry offers three types of infill options: ultralight, light, and solid, each with its own properties. When quoting a part to be made in the FDM process, you will see these options listed under "Material Options".

We simultaneously built examples of an identical FDM part with the three different infill options. We paused the build mid-way to produce these cross-section examples to help you determine the best option for your project.