3D printing definitions: A – F

A

Application – the intended use or function of a 3D printed part, such as prototyping, tooling, medical models, or end-use products in specific industries.

B

Bridging – the process of printing filament across open gaps between two points without support underneath. It tests a printer’s ability to span horizontal distances cleanly.

Brim – a ring of additional material printed around the base of a model to improve bed adhesion and prevent warping.

Build chamber – the enclosed area inside a 3D printer where the printing process takes place. In SLS systems, it maintains a controlled temperature to support consistent powder fusion and part quality.

Build plate (print bed) – the flat surface on which a 3D print is formed, layer by layer. It provides the foundation for the print and may be heated to improve adhesion and reduce warping.

Build volume utilization – the percentage of a 3D printer’s total available print space that is effectively used during a print job. Higher utilization can improve production efficiency, especially in batch or industrial printing.

C

Cake – the solid block of powder inside an SLS printer’s build chamber after printing is complete. It contains both the sintered (printed) parts and the surrounding unsintered powder, which must be removed during post-processing to retrieve the finished objects.

Calibration – the process of adjusting a 3D printer’s settings — such as axis movement, extrusion, bed leveling, and temperature — to ensure accurate, consistent, and high-quality prints.

Calibration cube – a small, standardized 3D model — typically a 20 × 20 × 20 mm cube — used to test dimensional accuracy, axis alignment, and general printer calibration.

Curling – a localized version of warping where smaller sections — especially overhangs or corners — bend upward during printing, affecting surface quality and dimensional accuracy.

D

Depowdering – the post-processing step in SLS printing where excess unsintered powder is removed from the printed parts, typically using brushes, air jets, or automated systems.

Dimensional accuracy – the degree to which the dimensions of a 3D printed object match the original digital model, typically measured in millimeters. It reflects the printer’s precision and consistency.

Dual extrusion – a 3D printing setup that uses two extruders to print with multiple materials or colors in a single print job. It enables more complex parts, including soluble supports or multi-color prints.

Dyeing – a post-processing technique used to add color to 3D printed parts — especially those made with porous materials like nylon — by immersing them in liquid dye for uniform and durable coloration.

E

Extruder – the component of a 3D printer responsible for feeding and pushing filament (or other material) into the hotend, where it is melted and deposited layer by layer to build the object.

F

Filament – a spool-fed thermoplastic material, usually in 1.75 mm or 2.85 mm diameter, used in FDM 3D printers. It is melted and extruded through a nozzle to form printed layers.

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