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3D Printing for Beginners: Basic Terms

As we continue to learn more about 3D printing through our own experiences and with the help of Marines knowledgeable in this field, we have created this guide to help those looking for a quick starting point.

Basic Terms - Photos

3D printing | Photo from Redshift

Layer height | Photo from Prusa

Shells | Photo from Flashforge

Infill | Photo from Tianse

Extrusion | Photo from AptGadgets

Bridge/Bridging | Photo from Fab Academy

Support | Photo from The Fabricator

Skirt | Photo from Simplify3D

Brim | Photo from Simplify3D

Raft | Photo from Simplify3D

Retraction | Photo from Pick 3D Printer

Filament | Photo from All3DP

Basic Terms

Definition

  • 3D printing/additive manufacturing: creating a 3D object by creating the object in layers, each layer adhering to each other, with the help of a 3D printing software and actual 3D Printer (fabrication)
  • MPD (molten polymer deposition): an approach to additive manufacturing that involves extruding molten material in layers to build up the desired shape (aka FDM fused deposition modeling or FFF fused filament fabrication)
  • STL: the file format used for 3D printing which stands for “stereolithography”, developed and coined by Charles Hull
  • GCode: programming/machine language generated by 3D printing software that communicates with the 3D printer in performing a 3D print job
  • Slicing: the process of creating a series of commands or “toolpath instructions” (usually a GCODE) that the 3D Printer will understand and follow
  • Layer height: how tall each layer printed will be; one of the factors that affect the resolution of prints
  • Shells: outer layers or walls of a 3D object
  • Infill: fill density of a 3D object; percentage to be filled in each layer of the 3D object
  • Extrusion: the process of 3D printing filament being pushed through a nozzle to build the 3D object
  • Bridge: a gap in a 3D object between two points
  • Support: not a part of the 3D object but is created to support overhanging parts (at an angle more than 45 degrees) of the 3D object which can be removed afterwards
  • Skirt: outlines around the 3D object that does not touch the 3D object for preparing the extruder and hot end for better flow of the filament during the print job
  • Brim: outlines around the 3D object that touches the outer edge of the 3D object for better adhesion on the print bed
  • Raft: an additional bottom layer which the 3D object is printed on instead of being directly on the print bed for better adhesion
  • Retraction: when filament is retracted back in the nozzle when the nozzle needs to move from one section of the print to another
  • Filament: material used by a 3D printer in order to create a 3D object