This section explains key 3D printing terms in clear, simple language—helping you quickly understand technologies, materials, and processes used in additive manufacturing.
Impact-resistant thermoplastic used in FDM printing.
UV-resistant filament for outdoor parts.
Layer-by-layer production technology.
Bonding strength between the first layer and the build plate.
Heat treatment to improve part strength and stability.
Automated leveling of the build plate.
Ability of the first layer to stick to the build plate.
Powder-based process using a liquid binder.
Extruder pushing filament through a PTFE tube.
Adhesion structure around a part.
Surface on which prints are created.
Maximum printable area in a 3D printer.
Software for designing 3D models.
Subtractive manufacturing process.
Simultaneous extrusion of two materials.
Strengthening FDM prints using fiber strands.
Controlled cooling during extrusion.
UV post-processing for resin prints.
Projector-based resin printing.
Removing excess powder after SLS/MJF.
Optimizing geometry for 3D printing.
Precision of printed dimensions.
Printed enclosure to stabilize temperature.
Printing with two materials.
Electron Beam Melting for metals.
Material flexibility property.
Flexible materials such as TPU.
Closed chamber to stabilize temperature.
Final functional products printed additively.
Component feeding and melting filament.
Fused Deposition Modeling.
Fused Filament Fabrication.
Spool-fed polymer material.
Surface treatment after printing.
Extruded material volume per second.
Leading additive manufacturing trade fair.
Machine language for 3D printers.
Movement system for X/Y/Z axes.
Filament reinforced with glass fibers.
Extrusion using plastic pellets.
Support material commonly used with ABS.
Build plate with heating.
Lightweight internal structure.
Melting zone for filament.
Combination of AM and CNC.
Solvent for resin cleaning.
Additive manufacturing for mass production.
Internal structure of a part.
Jetting droplets of material.
Equal strength in all directions.
Controls abrupt start of motion.
Droplet-based material deposition.
Manual printer axis control.
Parameter used for flexible materials.
Using Kevlar fibers to reinforce prints.
Movement mechanics of a printer.
Powder melting using a laser.
Lightweight internal geometry.
Single horizontal section of a print.
Thickness of each printed layer.
Adjusting build plate height.
Multi Jet Fusion by HP.
Workshop with 3D printing tools.
Category including FDM/FFF.
Photopolymer droplet deposition.
Triangle-based geometry representation.
Additive manufacturing with metal powders.
Arrangement of parts in the build area.
Directional strength differences.
Opening where filament is extruded.
High-strength engineering polymer.
Adjusting nozzle-to-bed distance.
Printer with accessible hardware/software.
Selecting the best printing direction.
Geometry extending outward without support.
Tough polymer used in FDM.
Biodegradable, easy-to-print polymer.
Water-soluble support material.
All steps after printing.
Family of powder-based printing processes.
Movement speed during printing.
Inspection of printed parts.
Rapid cooling of printed materials.
Mechanism for rapid nozzle swapping.
Foundation layer for adhesion.
Fast production of prototypes.
Photopolymer for SLA/DLP.
Pulling back filament to prevent stringing.
Surface quality measurement.
Stereolithography.
Selective Laser Sintering.
Laser movement speed in SLS/SLM.
Size reduction due to cooling.
Software converting models into G-code.
Supports for overhangs.
Flexible polyurethane material.
Calibration test for temperature.
Platform for downloading 3D models.
Dimensional variation allowed.
Algorithmic strength/mass optimization.
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