3D Printing Terminology

Front

Extruder

Back

The part of the printer that melts and pushes filament through the nozzle.

Front

Filament

Back

The material (usually plastic) used by the 3D printer to create objects.

Front

Nozzle

Back

The small tip of the extruder where the melted filament is deposited.

Front

Build Plate

Back

The flat surface on which the 3D printed object is built.

Front

Layer Height

Back

The thickness of each individual layer of the print, affecting the print's resolution and quality.

Front

Slicing Software

Back

Software that converts 3D models into instructions (G-code) that the printer can understand.

Front

G-code

Back

The programming language used to instruct the printer on how to build the object.

Front

Infill

Back

The internal structure of the print, determining its strength and material usage.

Front

Support Structures

Back

Temporary material added to help print overhangs or complex shapes, removed after printing.

Front

Bed Leveling

Back

The process of adjusting the build plate to ensure it's perfectly flat and at the correct distance from the nozzle.