Embedded Files
3D Printing
The process of creating a three-dimensional object from a digital file. Usually, it is achieved by stacking two-dimensional layers of material to form a physical 3D object. There are many different 3D printing processes that use many different materials, but the most common process is material extrusion—also known as Fused Deposition Modeling and Fused Filament Fabrication—which uses thermoplastic filament. Also known as additive manufacturing.
3D Printer
A machine tool that creates a three-dimensional object from a digital file by stacking thin, two-dimensional layers of material. This machine usually reads g-code files that give it specific instructions on how to print an object. The most common type of 3D printer uses the process of material extrusion, or fused deposition modeling (FDM), to form parts.
3D Design Program
A type of software used to visualize, design, and manipulate 3D products while providing a test environment for strength and dynamic analysis. Also known as a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program or 3D Modeling Software. Free examples for educators include Autodesk Inventor, Fusion360, SketchUp, Onshape, and Tinkercad.
3D Modeler
A type of multimedia artist or animator who creates three-dimensional models or visuals of items using a variety of different computer software programs and tools. Also, a program used to manipulate 3D shapes to create objects for animation or production.
ABS
Stands for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, which is a thermoplastic used for 3D printing. ABS is a common form of plastic found in most household items that were injection molded.
Additive Manufacturing
The process of creating an object from a digital file by stacking 2D layers to form a 3D object. Also called 3D printing. see also 3D Printing
Axis Binding
A problem associated with the X-, Y-, or Z-axis on a printer, in which the axis is unable to move freely or perform a given movement.
Belt
Toothed gear belt that is used to transfer movement.
Bridging
Bridging occurs in a 3D print when filament is extended across an open area without supports. The distance a print can bridge is determined by the hardware capabilities of the printer and the slicer settings.
Brim
A platform adhesion option whose function is to reduce shrinkage of bottom print layers or better adhere a low surface area object by providing a larger base platform.
Build Plate
The surface where the printer deposits the materials used for printing. Also known as the Print Bed. see also Print Bed
Bowden Extruder
An extruder assembly used pushing filament that uses a tube to feed the filament from the motor to heated areas. This type of extruder assembly reduces heat transfer to filament pressure point, thereby reducing plastic buildup and clogs.
Carriage
The moving assembly that holds the nozzle and hot end of the of the extruder.
Control Screen
LCD screen that displays information and provides an interface to select settings and manipulate the printer.
Cooldown
The process of cooling down the hot end. Cooldown occurs automatically after a print is finished, or can be done manually after changing filament to to prevent filament baking and clogs. Can be controlled using the Control Screen or turning off the 3D printer.
Cura
A 3D printer slicing software. Utilized to transform 3D models into a X, Y, and Z coordinate language called g-code in “.gcode” format.
Endstop
Mechanical switches that indicate where the “home” or “zero” position is on each print axis. see also Limit Switch
Extrude
The act of dispensing build material onto the build platform through a small nozzle commonly referred to as a "hot end.”
Extruder
The assembly that handles feeding and extruding filament during a print. The extruder has two parts: the stepper motor and feeding system that pushes the material into the printer, and a hot end that heats and extrudes the material through a nozzle onto the build surface.
Extruder Fan
Fan that cools the heat sink of the extruder.
Extruder Motor
Stepper motor of the extruder assembly.
Extruder Nozzle
A brass or steel funnel-shaped die through which melted plastic is extruded.
Extruder Release Lever
The trigger lever that applies pressure to the extruder gear, which forces filament to flow into the Bowden tube of the extruder to the hot end.
Extrusion Multiplier
A percentage value associated with the flow rate of plastic extrusion. The flow rate can be manipulated by adjusting this multiplier.
Filament
Typically a thermoplastic formed into a continuous wire and wound onto a spool so it is compatible with a 3D printer’s extrusion system. see also ABS, PLA, TPU
Filament Diameter
The size designation of a roll of filament. Usually 1.75mm or 3mm/2.85mm (3mm and 2.85mm are in the same size filament category are used interchangeably in 3mm and 2.85mm material extrusion 3D printers).
Fill
The area within a 3D-printed object that connects the top, bottom, and side layers. See also Infill
Fill Density
A percentage value that determines how much of the interior volume of a 3D-printed object is filled with material. This value can range from 0–100%, recommended is 5–25%.
Flow
The action of filament moving in a steady continuous stream. see also Extrusion Multiplier
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
FDM is another name for material extrusion and FFF. It is a trade name created by Stratasys, the company that invented and first commercialized the material extrusion process. see also FFF, Material Extrusion
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)
FFF is another name for material extrusion and FDM. see also FDM, Material Extrusion
Gantry
The part of the extruder assembly and X-axis motor that moves up and down on the Z-axis of a 3D printer. see also Z-Axis Carriage
G-code
Coding language that the 3D printer understands. It is used to transmit instructions to a 3D printer’s control system to tell the printer how to print the 3D model. see also Cura, Slicer
Heated Build Plate / Heated Print Bed
The heated surface where the printer deposits the material used for printing. A heated bed can help reduce warping on large prints and help adhere parts better.
HIPS
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) is a thermoplastic used as a 3D printing material that can be dissolved using limonene and therefore used for dissolvable supports on delicate prints.
Hot End
The heated portion of the extruder assembly that includes the nozzle and heating block.
Infill
The area within a 3D-printed object that connects top, bottom, and side layers. This creates a rigid structure and determines print durability.
Kapton Tape
Heat-resistant polyimide adhesive tape typically used to secure wiring and insulate the hot end of the extruder.
Layer
Extruded plastic of a closed loop, represented as a two-dimensional drawing on the X-Y plane. When replicated over again in the Z direction, it produces a 3D object or multi-layered X-Y drawing. see also Layer Height
Layer Height
Utmost determinant of quality for 3D printing, it defines the distance between lines of extruded plastic in the Z-direction. Material extrusion 3D printers typically print layers between 0.1mm and 0.3mm high. A lower layer height translates to a smoother, higher quality print. A higher layer height translates into a faster, low quality print.
Limit Switch
Mechanical switch that indicates where the “home” or “zero” position is on each print axis. see also Endstop
Material Extrusion
A 3D printing process that dispenses material through a nozzle or orifice. Also known as FFF or FDM. see also FDM, FFF
Minimal Layer Time
The least amount of time required of the printer to maintain action on any layer of a printed object for the filament to sufficiently cool before fusing a layer on top if it.
Mesh
A collection of polygons attached by edges and vertices that makes up a net-like surface area in CAD.
Motor
In 3D printing, the stepper motor that produces precise movement of the extruder, X-, Y-, or Z-axis. see also Stepper
Nozzle
A brass or steel funnel-shaped die through which melted plastic is extruded. see also Extruder Nozzle, Hot End
OBJ
OBJ stands for Object File, an alternative to the STL file format. OBJ (.obj) files store object exterior pattern and color.
PLA
Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polymer derived from the starch in plants (normally corn) that is used for 3D printing.
Perimeter
A continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure. In 3D printing, the perimeter is created by the edges of every layer. see also Shell
Preheat
Heating prior to using the device or tool. In 3D printing, the nozzle needs to be preheated before printing or for loading and unloading filament.
Print Bed
The surface where the printer deposits the materials used for printing. Also known as the build plate. see also Build Plate
Print Speed
The rate at which a 3D printer is capable of moving while extruding plastic. A print speed of 50mm/s will be successful on most FDM printers. A print speed of 20–30mm/s will produce higher quality prints.
Print Quality
Refers to the quality of the print and is determined by many factors including mechanical capabilities of the printer, slicer used, layer height, print speed, support, and print orientation.
Printing Temperature
The temperature of the hot end at which the filament is melted and extruded.
PVA
Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is a water soluble plastic that is a common ingredient in standard wood glue. It can be used in 3D printing to print dissolvable supports.
Raft
A platform adhesion option in which several layers of printed material are deposited on the build surface to smooth out any irregularities in the build surface and help prevent warping in the model being printed on top of the raft. A raft also helps with bed adhesion of delicate models.
Resolution
The smallest movement a printer’s extruder can make within a single X-Y layer. Often indicates the produced quality of a printed model.
Retraction
Backwards movement of an extruder motor to reduce the amount of material stringing or oozing.
SD Card
A non-volatile memory card for use in portable devices to transfer information, such as .gcode to 3D printers.
Seam
The point at which two layers of 3D-printed material connect.
Shell
The sidewalls of a 3D printed model, created by the exterior edges of every layer. see also Perimeter
Shell Thickness
The total width of an outside wall of a 3D-printed part. Shell thickness should be a multiple of nozzle size. Two shells is typically best. An increased number of shells will lead to a stronger model. see also Shell
Skirt
A platform adhesion option that extrudes an offset outline of the model on the first layer of the print. The skirt helps to remove unwanted colors and build pressure for material extrusion. It also checks the accuracy of bed leveling.
Slice
The action of changing a model file (STL, OBJ, etc.) into a a G-code file. The coordinate type can vary depending upon setting selection. The most common type uses cartesian coordinates on an XYZ plane. see also Slicer
Slicer
A type of program, such as Cura or Repetier Host, that allows manipulation of a 3D model and converts the file type into a coordinate system (usually .gcode) the printer follows to create a model. see also Cura, Repetier Host
Soft Pull/Soft Removal
The process of heating filament to the phase transition temperature (solid to liquid) and removing it from the extruder assembly. The process helps to remove unwanted material and can assist in the removal of nozzle blockage. NWA3D recommends to always remove filament using the soft pull method as preventive maintenance for your 3D printer.
Stepper/Stepper Motor
An electric motor that moves in discrete movements, or steps, to allow more precise regulation of its movement. see also Motor
STL
The STL file format (STL stands for stereolithography) is the recommended file format for 3D models for 3D printing. The filetype contains the best mesh for solid 3D-printed objects. see also Mesh
Support
Additional removable structures that are printed to support overhangs or other parts of a model that do not make contact with the build plate during printing.
Subtractive Manufacturing
Manufacturing techniques that remove material to create an object. Common types are CNC routing and laser cutting.
Tension Arm
Arm that presses the filament into the gear of the extruder motor. see also Extruder Lever
TPU
Thermoplastic urethane (TPU) is a semi-flexible plastic that is used in 3D printing.
Travel Speed
The rate at which the nozzle assembly will move to a new position when not extruding.
USB Connection
USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, is a connection type to send files from a slicer on a computer to a 3D printer via a USB cable.
Viscosity
A measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. The higher the viscosity, the more resistant the fluid is to flowing.
X-Axis
The principal or horizontal axis of a system of coordinates.
Y-Axis
The secondary or vertical axis of a system of coordinates.
Z-Axis
The axis in three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates which is usually oriented vertically.
Z-Lift
The process that a printer uses to lift the hot end upward prior to retraction and moving.
Z-Axis Carriage
The part of the extruder assembly and X-Axis motor that moves up and down on the Z-Axis of a 3D printer. see also Gantry
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