3D printing glossary
Overview of the most important 3D printing terms and abbreviations - from filaments through printer hardware to slicer software. Pick a letter or scroll down. If a term is missing, contact us.
3
- 3MF3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) is modern replacement for STL.
- 3D scanner3D scanner captures shape of physical object into digital 3D model.
A
- ABSABS is a classic engineering plastic for 3D printing.
- ASAASA is a UV-resistant filament for outdoor applications.
- AMS (Bambu Lab)AMS (Automatic Material System) is Bambu Lab accessory for automatic filament switching.
- Auto-levelingAuto-leveling = printer measures bed irregularity automatically.
- AccelerationAcceleration determines how quickly the printer reaches print speed.
- AnnealingAnnealing = heat treatment of 3D print.
- Acetone smoothingAcetone smoothing = chemical smoothing of ABS prints with acetone vapor.
- Additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing (AM) is an umbrella term for 3D printing.
- Auto Bed Leveling (ABL)ABL (Auto Bed Leveling) is automatic bed flatness calibration.
- ArtifactsArtifacts are unwanted visible defects of 3D print.
B
- Build plateA build plate is the surface on which the 3D printer lays the first layer.
- BridgingBridging is printing a flat segment over empty space without supports.
- Bambu LabBambu Lab is a Chinese 3D printer maker known for speed and auto calibration.
- BLTouchBLTouch is a touch sensor for automatic bed leveling of a 3D printer.
- Bambu StudioBambu Studio is slicer from Bambu Lab.
- BrimBrim is a thin collar around the first layer.
- BeltBelt is a toothed strap transferring motor movement to axis.
- Build volumeBuild volume is the max size a 3D printer can handle.
- BVOHBVOH is water-soluble filament for supports.
- Bowden extruderBowden extruder has motor outside print head.
- BacklashBacklash is mechanical play in transmission.
- BlobsBlobs (zits) are small bulges on print walls.
- BandingBanding is a general term for stripes on print walls.
- Bottom layersBottom layers are first layers of SLA print with longer exposure time.
C
- Carbon composite filamentCarbon composites are filaments with carbon fiber additive.
- CuraCura (Ultimaker Cura) is the most widespread open-source slicer.
- Clogged nozzleClogged nozzle = filament doesn't pass through.
- CoreXYCoreXY is a 3D printer construction with two motors on X and Y via belts.
- CartesianCartesian is the simplest FDM printer construction.
- Castable ResinCastable Resin is burnable resin for casting molds.
- CurlingCurling is corner lifting on layers.
- Cold pull (nozzle cleaning)Cold pull is a method of cleaning the nozzle.
- Cloud printingCloud printing is remote 3D printer control over the internet.
D
- DLPDLP is resin 3D printing using DLP projector.
- Delta printerDelta is an unconventional 3D printer - three vertical arms hold the head.
- Dual extruderDual extruder printer has two extruders.
- Dental ResinDental Resin is biocompatible resin for dentistry.
- Direct Drive extruderDirect Drive extruder has motor directly on the head above the hotend.
- DelaminationDelamination is separation of layers.
E
- ExtruderAn extruder is the mechanism that pushes filament into the 3D printer's hotend.
- EnclosureEnclosure maintains temperature around 3D printer at 40-60 °C.
- Elephant footElephant foot is widening of bottom layers of the model.
- ESD filamentESD filament (anti-static) doesn't accumulate static charge.
- EndstopEndstop is a limit switch for zero position of axis.
- Exposure timeExposure time is duration of UV light on one layer in SLA/MSLA.
F
- FilamentFilament is a plastic string used as printing material in FDM 3D printers.
- FDMFDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most widespread 3D printing technology.
- Filament dryerFilament dryer is a box with heater, fan and thermometer.
- First layerFirst layer is the foundation of 3D print.
- Flame-retardant filamentFlame-retardant filament is self-extinguishing.
- Flexible ResinFlexible Resin is a flexible UV resin variant.
- Flow rateFlow rate is correction of extruded filament amount.
- FirmwareFirmware is software on the control board of the printer.
G
- G-codeG-code is the instruction language for 3D printers - where to move, how much filament to extrude, at what speed.
- Glow in the dark PLAGlow in the dark PLA contains phosphorescent pigments.
- GhostingGhosting (ringing) are streaks behind sharp edges of a print.
- Gluing 3D printsGluing 3D prints for large models or repairs.
- GF filaments (glass fiber)GF filaments contain short glass fiber.
H
- HIPSHIPS is limonene-dissolvable filament for ABS supports.
- HotendHotend is the heating module of a 3D printer.
- HeatbreakHeatbreak is a thin tube in the hotend separating hot and cold zones.
- Heated bedBed is the heated base of a 3D printer.
- HEPA filterHEPA filter traps microparticles from 3D printing.
I
- InfillInfill is the internal structure of a 3D model.
- IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol)IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) is a cleaner for 3D printing.
- IroningIroning = smoothing the top surface of a 3D print.
- Input ShapingInput Shaping suppresses printer vibrations.
J
K
L
- Layer heightLayer height is the height of one printing layer in mm.
- Linear railLinear rail is a precise mechanical guide for axis movement.
- Layer shiftLayer shift = shift of entire print at one layer.
- Linear AdvanceLinear Advance (LA) is Marlin version of Pressure Advance.
- Layer adhesionLayer adhesion is the bond strength between layers.
- Layer exposureLayer exposure is energy per layer in SLA.
- Lift speedLift speed is speed of platform lifting after layer in SLA/MSLA.
M
- Matte PLAMatte PLA is PLA with matte surface - no gloss, looks like porcelain or pastel.
- MSLA (LCD)MSLA (Masked SLA, LCD) is the most widespread resin technology.
- Multicolor filamentMulticolor filaments change color along the spool.
- Multicolor 3D printingMulticolor 3D printing - multiple colors in one model.
- MarlinMarlin is the most widespread open-source firmware for 3D printers.
- MakerWorldMakerWorld is the official Bambu Lab model catalog.
- Max flowMax flow is max volumetric flow rate a hotend can handle.
- MicrosteppingMicrostepping divides a motor step into smaller parts.
- Mesh bed levelingMesh Bed Leveling (MBL) creates a 3D mesh map of the bed.
N
- NozzleA nozzle is the metal part at the end of the hotend through which melted filament flows.
- NylonNylon (Polyamide) is a technical filament with high strength, wear resistance and stiffness.
O
- OrcaSlicerOrcaSlicer is open-source slicer - Bambu Studio fork supporting Creality, Prusa, Voron.
- OBJOBJ is a 3D format with textures and colors.
- Over-extrusionOver-extrusion = printer extrudes more filament.
- OozingOozing = filament leaking from nozzle during idle.
- OverhangOverhang is sloped surface without bottom support.
P
- PLAPLA (Polylactic Acid) is the most popular filament for FDM 3D printing.
- PETGPETG is a strong and tough filament for FDM printers.
- Polycarbonate (PC)Polycarbonate (PC) is the strongest common filament.
- PVAPVA is water-soluble filament used as support.
- PLA+PLA+ is an improved version of PLA with higher strength, toughness and heat resistance.
- PLA CFPLA CF is PLA with carbon fibers.
- PETG CFPETG CF is PETG with carbon fibers.
- PEI sheetPEI sheet (Polyetherimide) is the most popular build plate.
- PrusaSlicerPrusaSlicer is open-source slicer from Prusa Research.
- PET filamentPET is the pure variant of PET bottle material.
- Polypropylene (PP)Polypropylene (PP) is chemically resistant filament.
- PEEKPEEK is a high-end technical plastic.
- PLA MetaPLA Meta is improved PLA variant from Bambu Lab.
- Print speedPrint speed is nozzle movement speed during printing.
- Pressure AdvancePressure Advance (PA) compensates pressure in the hotend.
- PerimeterPerimeter (wall) is the outer wall of the model.
- PillowingPillowing = bulging of top surface of model.
- Purge towerPurge tower is additional structure next to model for multicolor printing.
- PlatePlate is a removable print plate attaching magnetically to the bed.
- Print farmPrint farm is an assembly of many 3D printers in parallel.
- Post-processingPost-processing are modifications after printing.
R
- ResinResin is a liquid photopolymer for SLA, DLP and MSLA printers.
- RetractionRetraction is backward pulling of filament in the extruder during non-print movement.
- RaftRaft is a complete filament layer under the model.
- Resonance compensationResonance compensation suppresses printer resonances.
- RingingRinging is another name for ghosting - streaks behind edges from vibrations.
- Rapid prototypingRapid prototyping is fast production of prototypes in hours/days.
S
- SlicerA slicer converts 3D model (STL file) into G-code instructions for the printer.
- STLSTL (Standard Triangle Language) is the most widespread format for 3D printing models.
- SupportSupports are auxiliary structures under overhangs.
- Silk PLASilk PLA is a PLA variant with silky, shiny surface.
- SLASLA is a 3D printing technology that cures liquid resin with UV laser or LCD panel.
- SkirtSkirt is an outline around the model printed before the print.
- StringingStringing is pulling of filament threads between model parts.
- Stepper motorStepper motor is a precise electric motor rotating by defined steps.
- SLSSLS (Selective Laser Sintering) is industrial 3D printing - laser sinters powder.
- Standard UV ResinStandard UV Resin is the basic resin for SLA/MSLA.
- STEPSTEP is a CAD format with mathematical description.
- Sanding 3D printsSanding 3D prints removes layer lines.
- Stepper driver (TMC2209)Stepper driver is a controller for stepper motor.
- SeamSeam (Z-seam) is visible joint where nozzle returns to layer start.
- Supports densitySupports density is the density of supports.
- ShrinkageShrinkage is model size reduction during plastic cooling.
T
- TPUTPU is a flexible filament - rubbery, elastic like silicone.
- Tough ResinTough Resin is a tougher variant of UV resin.
- Travel speedTravel speed is print head movement speed without printing.
- Temperature towerTemperature tower is a calibration model - tower with floors printed at different temperatures.
U
- UV curingUV curing is the final step of SLA printing.
- Under-extrusionUnder-extrusion = printer extrudes less filament.
- UnderfillUnderfill are gaps between wall and infill.
V
- Volumetric flow rateVolumetric flow rate is volume of filament extruded per second (mm³/s).
- Vase modeVase mode prints only a spiral wall.
W
- WarpingWarping is curling of print corners up from the plate.
- Wood PLAWood PLA is PLA with wood fiber additive.
- Water-Washable ResinWater-Washable Resin washes with water, not IPA.
- Wall thicknessWall thickness is total outer wall thickness.
- WipeWipe is wiping of the nozzle after segment print.
- Wash & CureWash & Cure station is a 2-in-1 device for SLA print post-processing.
Z
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