3D Printing Terms
3D Scanning: Capturing the physical shape and dimensions of an object to create a digital 3D model, often used in reverse engineering or quality assurance.
Additive Manufacturing: A manufacturing process, also known as 3D printing, in which objects are created layer by layer, adding material only where needed. This method contrasts with subtractive manufacturing, where material is removed from a larger block to shape a part. Additive manufacturing encompasses a wide range of technologies and is used to produce prototypes, tools, and end-use parts.
Amorphous Polymer: Polymers that lack a well-defined, ordered structure at the molecular level. This can translate to lower melting temperatures, reduced warping, and less rigid.
ASTM D638: ATSM D638 is a standard test method for evaluating the tensile properties of plastics. It outlines the procedure for preparing test specimens, conducting the tensile test, and interpreting the results.
Batch Production: Using 3D printing to manufacture multiple parts at once, optimizing efficiency and cost for small-to-medium production runs.
Binder jetting: A 3D printing process that selectively jets adhesive and other agents onto a bed of powder. During production, the machine selectively binds (adheres) one layer of powder at a time, and then applies the next layer. The result is a cube (build) of powder filled with solid parts.
Bridge Production: This refers to bridging the gap between prototyping and full-scale production, enabling the production of small quantities of high-quality parts quickly.
Build Plate: The surface on which a 3D print is built during the printing process.
Build Volume: The maximum size of an object that can be printed by a 3D printer. Larger build volumes allow for bigger parts or multiple parts to be printed in one go.
CAD (Computer-Aided Design): CAD is the use of software to create, modify, analyze, or optimize a design. It allows engineers, architects, and designers to produce precise two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) objects and systems.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): A numerical physics simulation and analysis that calculates the flow of liquids in or around a product.
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM): Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) is the process engineers use to optimize their parts for 3D printing. The technology allows them to develop lighter-weight parts with complex features and simplified assembly, and these design principles help guide the transition.
Digital workflow: AM uses virtual blueprints from computer-aided design (CAD) or animation modeling software and “slices” them into digital cross-sections for the machine to successively use during its controlled build process.
Elongation at Break: The measure of how much strain a material can take before it deforms to the point of breaking or rupturing.
End-Use Parts: The components, sub-assemblies or products that are sold to a customer or put into service.
Extruder: The component of a 3D printer that feeds filament into the print head, where it is melted and deposited onto the build plate.
FDM: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most common form of 3D printing that melts plastic filament or wire to build parts. While the technology is inexpensive, it typically lacks the quality and performance of other additive manufacturing technologies.
Filament: The material used in deposition printing and fed into a 3D printer’s extruder.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA): A computerized method for predicting how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, fluid flow, and other physical effects.
FST Certified Materials: FST or Flame, Smoke and Toxicity certified materials meet regulatory standards that protect human health and safety. FST certification meets the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): The temperature at which a 3D printed material starts to soften or deform when exposed to both heat and stress.
Infill: The internal structure of a 3D-printed part that fills the space between its outer walls. The purpose of infill is to balance the strength, weight, and printing time of the part.
ISO 9001 Certification: A globally recognized quality management standard ensuring that processes meet customer and regulatory requirements.
JIT Manufacturing: Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing describes a philosophy in which materials or components are delivered immediately before they are required to minimize supply chain costs. 3D printing is fast and cost-effective on short runs, making it ideal for JIT applications.
Jigs & Fixtures: A fixture is a work-holding or support device used in traditional manufacturing. Typically used to locate and support work on a production or assembly line, jigs & fixtures ensure that all parts being produced maintain conformity and interchangeability.
Layer: A single slice of material represented as a two-dimensional drawing on the X-Y plane. The layer thickness is crucial for the final part’s quality and resolution.
Lightweighting: The process of reducing the weight of a part while maintaining its structural integrity, often achieved through topology optimization and material selection.
Maintenance, Repairs, and Operations (MRO): Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) teams often need spare parts, pumps, valves, consumables, and other pieces of equipment relating to the restoration or function of traditional manufacturing equipment. Industrial companies are beginning to utilize 3D printing for replacement parts, enabling MRO departments to focus on equipment restoration and reducing their storage and warehousing footprint.
Mesh: A collection of polygons attached by edges and vertices that makes up a net-like area in CAD.
Metal Jet 3D Printing: HP’s advanced 3D printing technology that produces high-quality metal parts by applying binder and metallic powder layers, enabling complex geometries and high-strength components.
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF): A 3D printing technology developed by HP that uses fusing and detailing agents to produce precise, high-quality parts.
Nesting: Positioning and optimizing the arrangement of multiple 3D models within the build volume of a printer.
On-demand manufacturing: In addition to JIT, 3D printing also supports “on-demand” production, including parts that are customized or personalized. Building on its speed advantage, low setup cost, and digital workflow, parts can be produced when and where they are needed.
PA 12: A nylon material widely used for its versatility, strength, and precision in 3D printing applications.
PA 12 S: An eco-friendly version of PA 12 that offers reduced costs, high reusability, and streamlined post-processing.
Post-processing: Refers to the processes used after parts are additively manufactured. With some technologies, this can include removing or dissolving supports, but with HP’s technology, parts do not require supports and can be easily cleaned after production.
Prototype: A physical model of a part used for testing, evaluation, and refinement of the design before moving to full-scale production.
Quality Assurance (QA): Procedures and checks performed to ensure 3D printed parts meet specified standards and tolerances.
Resolution: The level of detail and accuracy that a 3D printer can achieve when creating an object. Higher resolution means the printer can make smaller, more precise movements resulting in finer details. Lower resolution can lead to rougher surfaces and visible layer lines.
Rigidity: A printed object’s ability to resist bending or deformation under force.
Semi-Crystalline Polymer: The long polymer chains are organized in an ordered way. These polymers typically have good strength and wear, but poor impact resistance. Semi-crystalline polymers offer good chemical resistance.
STL Files: Stereolithography (STL) files are the most used file format for 3D printing. It allows the computer to communicate with the 3D printer hardware, identifying the slicing layers needed for the printing process.
Surface Finish: A measure of the texture or roughness of a surface. It is quantified by vertical deviations of a real surface from its ideal form.
Sustainability in 3D Printing: Efforts to reduce waste and energy consumption through material reuse, efficient workflows, and innovative technologies.
Tensile Strength: Tensile strength is the maximum pulling force a printed object can withstand before it fractures or stretches permanently.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU): A flexible and durable plastic known for its elasticity, abrasion resistance, and shock absorption.
Topology Optimization: Topology optimization is a mathematical method used to optimize the material layout and geometric features of a part, ensuring the most efficient design and use of resources.
Tumble Smoothing: A post-processing technique that uses abrasion to smooth and polish 3D printed parts.
Vapor Smoothing: A post-processing technique that applies chemical vapor to 3D-printed parts to create a smooth, glossy surface.
Warping: Deformation of vertical walls that is typically caused by too much heat.
Watertight: A 3D-printed object with no holes, leaks, or gaps.
X-Axis: The principal or horizontal axis of a system of coordinates.
Y-Axis: The secondary or vertical axis of a system of coordinates.
Young’s Modulus: A measurement of a material’s stiffness under tensile load. A high Young’s modulus indicates a 3D-printed part that can maintain rigidity and shape under stress. Conversely, if flexibility in a part is desired, a material with low Young’s modulus would be more suitable.
Z-Axis: The axis in three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates which is usually oriented vertically.