Printing Terminology

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Additive Manufacturing: The manufacturing of an item by the addition of or layering of materials into a 3d dimensional object.

Bed Leveling: The practice of adjusting the build plate to be the exact same distance from the extruder nozzle along the entire length of travel through the X and Y axis.

Bridge or Bridging: Any time the filament is extruded over an open area or gap in the underlying layer of the model being printed.

Brim: An extension or widening of the base layer of the print in order to achieve better build plate adhesion.

Build Volume: The maximum cubic (3 dimensional) space the printer can print within.

C.A.D.: (Computer Aided Design) The utilization of computers and specialized software to create 2D and 3D designs.

C.A.M.: (Computer Automated Manufacturing) The utilization of computers and specialized software to instruct a cnc controlled machine of the parameters it must operate within. This is then translated by the firmware into a set of instructions known as the G-code program which tells the machines processor what it wants it to do.

Cartesian Coordinate System: The utilization of a 3 axis (X-Y-Z) system to describe any given point within a 3D dimensional space.

CNC: (Computer Numeric Control) The numeric system automated machine's use to produce a programmed set of instructions.

Cure: The process of hardening or solidifying a compound from it's liquid state.

Delta 3D Printer: Throws the conventional 3d printing technique and the Cartesian Coordinate System to the side. Delta printers utilize 3 arms and angular measurements and some complex math to derive it's movement and position.

DLP or LCD Masking: Digital Light Processing or Liquid Crystal Display Masking is used in resin printers. An LCD screen is used to create slices of each layer of the print (like an MRI machine). The area's that are not masked are exposed to UV light. The exposed portions are UV cured and fused with the previous layer.

Elephants Foot: An anomaly where the bottom layers of a print bulge or flare outward. Common with heated build plates set at too high of temperature.

FDM: (Filament Deposition Manufacturing) The technique of building up an object by the deposition of a molten filament stream. One layer built upon the other at a predetermined thickness according to that particular layers shape, layer upon layer until the completion of the entire object.

Feed Rate: The amount of filament extruded per distance of print head travel.

Filament: Any one of the many types of spooled wire like materials that is fed through the extruder in a continuous stream to be melted and deposited layer by layer upon the object being printed.

Fill Density: A 3 dimensional object has an outside and an inside. With 3D printing we are capable of determining the inside support structure of the object and the density by a percentage of how much of the inside area we want the "infill" to consume/take up. The fill density has a proportional relation to the integrity/strength of the printed object.

G-Code: The numeric code that instructs a cnc controlled machine of all of the parameters, movements, speeds, feeds, temperatures and shape it must follow to perform its functions as required.

Heat Creep: The tendency for undesired heat to rise or be conducted from the hot end into the other components of the printer.

Hygroscopic: The ability of a material to absorb humidity/moisture from the air. Filaments are notorious for this. At 215f the moisture boils off and forms air pockets that weaken and effect the appearance of the object.

Infill: There is multiple options for supporting the inside of the 3 dimensional object being printed. Hollow, Solid or multiple different types of lattice structures to choose from.

Kapton Tape: Used on many heated build plates for its stability at temperature and its adhesive abilities.

Layer: Each time a printers Z-axis moves upward it begins depositing material on the previous layer until the object is completed.

Layer Height: The preset height (that you determine) that the Z-axis moves each time a new layer in created.

Melting Point: The specific temperature at which a filament begins to liquify for extrusion.

Nozzle Diameter: The diameter of the nozzles extrusion hole. Typical nozzle diameter is 0.4mm. Smaller nozzle diameters are available for finer detail. Larger nozzle diameters are used for speed or less detailed prints.

Overhang: The angle and amount of material that leans outward from the main body of the object being being printed. Typically when exceeding a 45 degree angle, supports are requires.

Photopolymer: A liquid compound or resin that responds to light. Typically UV light.

Post-Processing: Any tasks you perform on an object once it has been printed.

Print Speed: Is the velocity at which the print head travels as it lays filament onto the object being printed.

Printing Temperature: The temperature you determine for any particular filament. Each filament will require a specific temperature for optimal performance.

Raft: A platform that is printed for the main object to be built upon. There are certain circumstances that sometimes require this option.

Resin: The UV activated liquid polymer that is used in LCD masked and SLA (Stereolithography) printers. There is an increasing variety of these available with specific characteristics.

Slicer: The C.A.M software used for setting the desired parameters of the print. Separates the object into slices/layers and creates the G-code necessary for the printer to follow.

SLS Printing: (Selective Lazer Sintering) A printing technique utilizing specific types of powders and a lazer to fuse the powder to itself in the desired shape.

Soft Pull: The technique of heating up the filament then allowing to cool a certain amount before yanking back through the cold end in an attempt to clean the nozzle by sticking to and removing debris trapped within the nozzle.

Stringing: Like the strings of cheese sticking to a hot pizza as you attempt to remove a piece. As the nozzle leaves the body of the print it carries with it hair sized strings of filament.

Striping: Horizontal lines within the print of varying densities. Caused by clooged drive gears.

Supports: Option set while configuring the slicer for any part of the object being printed that overhangs at an extreme angle or distance and/or bridging a gap that exceeds the filaments ability to hold its intregity across the distance of the opening.

Tensile Strength: The amount of force a material can handle before it distorts permanently or breaks.

Thermal Stress: The amount of heat a printed object can absorb before  it begins to lose its integrity.

Under Extrusion: Anytime and for any reason there has not been enough filament extruded into the printed object.

Viscosity: A liquids resistance to flow. Water has a viscosity a little over 1, while the viscosity of your lawn mower oil is probably 30(sae).

Warping: Deformations within the print caused by thermal stresses

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