Reference
Glossary of 3D printing terms.
A plain-language guide to the processes, materials, and file formats used in 3D printing and additive manufacturing. Search or browse by category.
Technologies & processes
- FDMFused Deposition Modeling
- Builds parts by extruding melted thermoplastic filament layer by layer — the most common, cost-effective process. Also called FFF.
- FFFFused Filament Fabrication
- The open-source name for the same extrusion process as FDM.
- SLAStereolithography
- Cures liquid photopolymer resin with a UV laser for the finest detail and smoothest surfaces.
- DLPDigital Light Processing
- A resin process that flashes and cures an entire layer at once using a digital projector.
- MSLAMasked Stereolithography
- Resin printing that masks UV light through an LCD screen for fast, detailed parts.
- CLIPContinuous Liquid Interface Production
- A fast resin process that cures continuously through an oxygen-permeable window.
- SLSSelective Laser Sintering
- Fuses nylon powder with a laser to make strong, isotropic parts that need no supports.
- MJFMulti Jet Fusion
- HP’s powder process that jets fusing agents and fuses them with infrared energy for dense production parts.
- SLMSelective Laser Melting
- Fully melts metal powder to build dense, fully metallic parts.
- DMLSDirect Metal Laser Sintering
- Sinters metal powder with a high-power laser for end-use metal parts.
- DMPDirect Metal Printing
- 3D Systems’ metal powder-bed fusion process.
- MJPMulti Jet Printing
- Jets and UV-cures photopolymer droplets; also known as PolyJet.
- CJPColor Jet Printing
- Bonds gypsum powder with coloured binder to make full-colour models.
- DEDDirected Energy Deposition
- Melts metal wire or powder as it is deposited; used for large parts and repairs.
- CNCComputer Numerical Control (Machining)
- A subtractive process that cuts parts from solid stock; often paired with 3D printing.
- AMAdditive Manufacturing
- The umbrella term for building parts by adding material layer by layer.
Materials
- PLAPolylactic Acid
- Easy-to-print, biodegradable thermoplastic ideal for visual prototypes and concept models.
- ABSAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
- Tough, impact- and heat-tolerant thermoplastic.
- ASAAcrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate
- Like ABS, with added UV and weather resistance for outdoor parts.
- PETGPolyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
- Durable, chemical- and moisture-resistant all-rounder for functional parts.
- PAPolyamide (Nylon)
- Strong, wear-resistant engineering thermoplastic; great for functional and production parts.
- PCPolycarbonate
- Very strong, heat-resistant engineering plastic.
- PPPolypropylene
- Lightweight, fatigue- and chemical-resistant thermoplastic with some flex.
- TPUThermoplastic Polyurethane
- Flexible, rubber-like elastomer for gaskets, grips, and seals.
- RPURigid Polyurethane
- Tough, impact-resistant resin for functional prototypes.
- GFGlass Filled
- A composite with glass fibres added for stiffness and dimensional stability.
- CFCarbon Fiber (Filled)
- A composite with carbon fibres for high stiffness at low weight.
- ResinPhotopolymer
- Liquid plastic cured by UV light in SLA, DLP, and MSLA processes.
File formats & terms
- STLStandard Tessellation Language
- The most common 3D-print file format; describes a model as a mesh of triangles.
- STEPStandard for the Exchange of Product Data
- Exact CAD geometry with units; preferred for production parts.
- OBJWavefront Object
- A mesh format that can carry colour and texture data.
- 3MF3D Manufacturing Format
- A modern format carrying mesh, colour, and print metadata in one file.
- IGESInitial Graphics Exchange Specification
- A legacy neutral CAD exchange format.
- PCBPrinted Circuit Board
- The board that mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components.
- DFMDesign for Manufacturing
- Reviewing and adjusting a design so it can be produced reliably and economically.
- HDTHeat Deflection Temperature
- The temperature at which a material begins to soften and deform under a set load.
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