3D Printing Glossary

3D Printing Glossary

● I started a new career path, and in my journey of becoming a Community Manager at Mixed Dimensions, I am learning as much as I can about 3D printing world. I am excited to start this new adventure and be part of a revolution that is changing the way we live. Being new to 3D printing, I thought it would be necessary if I created a list of 3D printing glossary terms. If I missed anything here, drop me a line...

3D BioprinterA 3D printer that uses bio-ink to produce living tissues.

3D BioprintingThe process of generating living tissues using 3D printing technology.

3D HobbyistIndividuals who are enthusiastic about 3D printing.

3D ModelA digital file of an object in three dimensions that is created using 3D CAD or through 3D scanning.

3D PrinterA machine used to create a 3D solid object from a 3D file.

3D PrintingA method of Additive Manufacturing that adds material to an object layer by layer to create the final product.

3D Printing BureauPrint shops.

3D ScannerA hardware device that scans a physical object and turns it into a digital file.

ABSAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a type of plastic filament used as a 3D printer material for FDM printers.

Additive ManufacturingThe process of adding components in layers to create a three-dimensional solid object from a digital model.

Bounding BoxPrinter bed size. Usually calculated in imperial or metric.

CAD/CAMComputer-Aided Design/ Computer-Aided Manufacturing. The use of computer software to help in the creation, adjustment or optimization of a design.

CLIPContinuous Liquid Interface Production is a technology developed by Carbon3D that balances light and oxygen to reduce the layers. The best feature of the printer is that it is  much faster in speed comparing to the other printers.

CNCComputer Numerical Control is Machines which allow tools to craft automatically.

CuringThe process of hardening the material for the model to create its final form.

DLPDigital Light Processing is the process that uses UV light projector to cure resins into solid 3D objects.

DMLSDirect Metal Laser Sintering is an additive manufacturing technique uses a laser to heat and fuse metal powder to create a 3D model from metal.

Escape HolesPart of the Hollowing process. Escape holes are placed on 3D models to allow access material to escape. Leading to a lower printing price of the build.

ExtrudeThe process of placing the build material on the build platform by heating thermoplastic to a liquid state and pushing it through a small nozzle.

ExtruderA group of parts that handles the feeding and extruding of the build material. Consists of two assemblies: a cold end to pull and feed the thermoplastic from the spool, and a hot end the melts and extrudes the thermoplastic.

FDMFused Deposition Modeling. The process of building an object by heating and extruding thermoplastic filament.

FilamentThe plastic material made from build materials. FDM/FFF printers use it as raw material and as extruded plastic.

Flipped FacesFaces that are pointing in the wrong direction in a 3D model.Key feature: MakePrintable automatically detects flipped faces and flips them.

G-CodeA  programming language for the use of some 3D printers to communicate from computer to printer.

HollowingIt’s the process of making a solid object hollow to reduce material usage.

Infill/ FillingRefers to the structure that is printed inside an object. It is extruded in a designated percentage and pattern, which is set in the slicing software.

Kapton TapePolyimide Adhesive tape is heat-resistant. It’s placed on the surface of the print bed to prevent 3D printed model from warping

Non-manifold edgesIt occurs when more than two surfaces share together an edge, which causes an issue in solidity.Key feature: MakePrintable fixes non-manifold edges.

NozzleThe part of the hot end that deposits the melted plastic material.

MeshA collection of vertices, edges, and faces that make the shape of a 3D object.

Mesh SimplificationThe technique of reducing the number of faces used in surface mesh while maintaining the overall shape.

OBJObject file is a common type of 3D file that many software programs use it as an exchange format.

OverhangPart of a 3D model that lacks support below it. If the angle of a 3D model is less than 45 degrees, it usually needs support.

Over-lappingIt occurs when two or more objects intersect, the inside and outside of the models cannot be properly distinct.Key feature: MakePrintable automatically meshes together intersecting objects into a single part.

PhotogrammetryThe science of creating detailed measurements from photographs. 3D models can be produced from photogrammetry.

Print BedThe flat surface of the 3D printer where the 3D model part forms.

RaftThe process of printing a disposable base on the base surface, then building a 3D model on top. Provides stability and reduces warping.RepositoryA place where something is stored.

RepRapReplicating Rapid Prototyper is open source project created by Richard Rap. A 3D printer that is capable of 3D printing another 3D printer.

ResinLiquid material, Digital Light Processing (DLP) commonly uses resin.

RPRapid Prototyping is a process of creating a prototype of an object using three-dimensional computer aided design (CAD).

SliceA single layer of a 3D printed model.

SlicerA software that converts a 3D digital model into a machine readable code for the 3D printer. It slices the 3D model into multiple horizontal layers.

SLAStereolithographic is an additive manufacturing process using a vat of liquid UV-curable photopolymer “resin” and a UV laser to build parts, a layer at a time.

SLSSelective Laser Sintering is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that uses a laser as the power source to sinter powdered material, aiming the laser automatically at points in space defined by a 3D model, binding the material together to create a solid structure.

STLSTereoLithography is a file format describes 3D objects without any color or texture.Support StructureThe use of supports on a 3D model with steep overhangs.

SVGScalable Vector Graphics is a file format that DLP printers use.

SpoolFilament Wrap.

Wall ThicknessThe thickness of  the 3D model walls. In order to print a 3D model, it requires a minimum wall thickness for every material.Key feature: MakePrintable fixes wall thickness issues.

Water Tight ModelA solid 3D model that has no holes.Key feature: MakePrintable ensures that 3D models are watertight and solid.

http://www.makeprintable.com/

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