3D Printing Vocabulary

A process in which a digital model is turned into a tangible, solid, three-dimensional object, usually by laying down many successive, thin layers of a material

• 3D Printing

• Thermoplastic

• Slicing

• CAD

The process of converting a 3D model into instructions used by the 3D printer to build the object

• 3D Printing

• Extruder

• Thermoplastic

• Slicing

Plastic that becomes flexible upon being heated, then turns solid when cooled

• Filament

• Themoplastic

• Extruder

• Raft

A 3D printing platform upon which a part is printed to help it stick to the bed

• Raft

• Slicing

• CAD

• Print bed

The surface where the printer deposits the materials used for printing

• Print bed

• Extruder

• 3D printing

• Slicing

Movement left to right (horizontal)

• X-axis

• Y- axis

• Z-axis

Movement forward and back (depth)

• X-axis

• Y- axis

• Z-axis

Vertical movement (height)

• X-axis

• Y- axis

• Z-axis

3D

• Having 3 dimensions
  

• Computer Aided Design software used to create models

• Parts that handle the moving and processing of plastic

• Spools of thermoplastic used for 3D printing

CAD

• Having 3 dimensions
  

• Computer Aided Design software used to create models

• Parts that handle the moving and processing of plastic

• Spools of thermoplastic used for 3D printing