3D Printing Process Glossary

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Many Terms are used in 3D printing Processes the following list of the most common terms that are used.

Bed Adhesion: The process of attaching the first layer of a print to the build plate.
Build Plate: The flat surface on which 3D objects are printed.
Calibration: The process of adjusting the printer to ensure accurate and consistent prints.
Filament: The material used in fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing, which is fed through a heated extruder to form the object.
Extruder: The component of a 3D printer that melts the filament and deposits it layer by layer.
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): A type of 3D printing technology that uses melted filament to build objects layer by layer.
G-Code: A set of instructions used by 3D printers to control their movements and extrude filament.
Infill: The interior structure of a 3D printed object, which can be customized to balance strength and cost.
Layer Height: The thickness of each layer in a 3D printed object, which affects the surface smoothness and print time.
Nozzle: The small opening in the extruder through which the melted filament is deposited.
Overhang: A section of a 3D print that extends beyond the previous layer without support.
Raft: A flat layer of material, often made of the same filament as the main print, that is added to improve bed adhesion.
Resolution: The level of detail in a 3D print, often expressed in terms of layer height.
Retraction: The process of pulling filament back into the extruder to prevent stringing and improve printing accuracy.
Slicer: A software program that takes a 3D model and converts it into the G-Code instructions used by 3D printers.
Support Structure: Temporary material added to a 3D print to support overhanging sections, which is later removed.
Z-Axis: The vertical axis in a 3D printer, which determines the height of the layers being deposited.