The 3D Printing Dictionary
Un 3D Touch is a pressure sensor used in some 3D printer models (the tool that deposits the printing filament) during the printing process. It allows the printer to adjust the pressure applied to the filament based on the pressure exerted on the Touch's tip, which can improve print quality and layer precision.
3D Touch is typically used for the auto-calibration of a 3D printer, which involves adjusting the printer's settings to ensure that the extruder is at the correct distance from the print bed. By precisely adjusting this distance, the printer can ensure that the filament is deposited evenly and flawlessly on the bed, resulting in high-quality prints.
It can work with all types of bed materials, such as ultrabases, PEI, buildtak, etc. Once the various points on the surface are analyzed, the printer will be able to micro-manage the differences in surface level to achieve a better first layer of printing.
The "Bowden" system refers to the filament drive mechanism being positioned away from the print nozzle. A PTFE tube is used between the extruder and the nozzle in this setup.
The main advantages:
- Reduction in the weight of the print head, as the motor has significant weight, which improves print quality by generating less vibration.
- Lower manufacturing cost, resulting in more affordable printers.
The disadvantages are::
- It will be more challenging to print flexible filament due to the distance from the nozzle. The flexible filament may tend to flatten. Currently, many flexible filaments still allow for decent printing.
An impression ventilation channel is a component of the 3D printer that allows for the cooling of the print head and filament during the printing process. This enables faster cooling of the printed material for improved print quality. The impression ventilation channel is typically composed of a pipe or tube placed near the print head, which draws in fresh air to cool these parts of the printer.
Capricorn is a type of PTFE (see datasheet below), typically in blue color.
It is commonly used as a feed tube for the 3D printer filament. PTFE is a highly resilient, waterproof, and self-lubricating material, making it ideal for use in 3D printers. The Capricorn tube is made with a special blend of PTFE and other materials to further enhance its strength and durability.
The Capricorn PTFE tube is typically used to connect the extruders of the 3D printer to the print nozzles. It can also be used in other applications where a high-temperature-resistant and chemically stable tube is required, such as in the chemical industry or laboratories.
In general, the Capricorn PTFE tube is an important component of a 3D printer's equipment, as it ensures the quality and precision of the print by ensuring proper filament transfer to the print nozzle.
The Capricorn PTFE should not exceed a temperature of 260°C.
A motherboard is an essential component of any 3D printer. It is a printed circuit board to which all the elements of the printer, such as motors, sensors, screens, and control buttons, are connected. The motherboard is also connected to a microprocessor that runs the printer's software and controls all the printer's components. In general, the motherboard is the brain of the 3D printer and coordinates the operation of all the printer's elements to produce high-quality 3D objects.
A nozzle, commonly referred to as a 'nozzle' in English, is the piece that is screwed onto the end of the heating block. Different nozzle diameters are available, which can increase both the quality and speed of printing for larger nozzles. For example, a 0.2mm nozzle will provide better quality but longer print times. A 0.8mm nozzle will reduce print times but may result in slightly lower print quality.
The 'Direct Drive' system refers to the filament drive mechanism located just above the print nozzle.
The main advantages:
- Easier printing because the filament is extruded directly by the nozzle.
- The printer can provide a more controlled filament flow.
- Less risk of creating stringing during printing.
The disadvantages are::
- The system will have more weight than in the case of 'Bowden,' so it will be more prone to vibrations, which can reduce print quality.
The A4988 driver is an electronic component used to control a stepper motor in a 3D printer. It controls the speed and direction of rotation of the motor by sending electrical pulses to its windings. The A4988 driver is typically connected to a control board, which sends the necessary pulses to move the stepper motor's rotor one step at a time. By configuring the microstep inputs of the A4988 driver, you can adjust the number of microsteps per step, allowing for fine control over the motor's speed and precision. The A4988 driver is a crucial component in a 3D printer as it enables the movement of the print heads and the print bed to create the layers of the 3D object.
A TMC driver (TMC stands for 'Trinamic Motion Control') is an electronic component that allows a 3D printer to control and manage the stepper motors that drive the printer's motion axes. These motors are typically used to move the printer's print head and print beds in space. The TMC driver handles speed and position management of the motors, as well as regulating the temperature and power supply to the motors. It also plays a crucial role in error detection and motion issue management. By using a TMC driver, users can achieve improved precision and print quality, as well as greater reliability and longer lifespan for their 3D printer.
A Titan extruder is a part of a 3D printer used to push filament (the raw material used for 3D printing) through the printer's nozzle using a motor.
Titan extruders are commonly used in high-performance 3D printers because they are more durable and efficient than plastic or aluminum extruders.
A Bondtech Mini Geared (BMG) extruder is a type of extruder used in some 3D printers to feed filament into the print head. A BMG extruder typically consists of a set of geared wheels that are used to push the filament into the print head. The geared wheels are driven by an electric motor and are designed to exert strong pressure on the filament to reliably and precisely feed it to the print head. In general, BMG extruders are used to improve the accuracy and reliability of filament feeding into the print head and to produce high-quality 3D objects.
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tubing is a type of plastic tube used in 3D printers. It is typically used as a feed tube for the 3D printer's filament. PTFE is a highly resistant, waterproof, and self-lubricating material, making it ideal for use in 3D printers.
PTFE tubing is typically used to connect the 3D printer's extruders to the print nozzles. It can also be used in other applications where a tube that is resistant to high temperatures and chemically stable is required, such as in the chemical industry or laboratories.
In general, PTFE tubing is an important component of a 3D printer's equipment, as it ensures the quality and precision of printing by facilitating a proper transfer of filament to the print nozzle.
Basic PTFE should not exceed a temperature of 230°C.
An print surface is the surface on which the 3D printer deposits the printing filament during the printing process. It can be made of metal, glass, plastic, or PEI, and it needs to be flat and clean to ensure proper filament adhesion and optimal print quality.
The print surface is typically located on the bed of the 3D printer, which is the platform that supports the object being printed. The bed can be heated to facilitate filament adhesion to the print surface, especially when using plastic-based filaments like PLA or ABS.
It's important to properly prepare the print surface before starting the print. This can include cleaning the surface with a dry cloth or using special adhesives (such as painter's tape or bed adhesion paste) to improve filament adhesion. By ensuring that the print surface is clean and well-prepared, you can ensure better print quality and reduce the risk of defects or failures.
A "print head" is the part of a 3D printer that contains the extruder and is responsible for depositing the printing material onto the printing platform. The extruder is the mechanism that heats and extrudes the printing material, typically in the form of plastic filament, through a very fine nozzle to create the layers of the printed object. The print head can be moved in different directions and at different heights to allow the 3D printer to create precise shapes and details. The print head can also be equipped with different types of nozzles and extruders to print with different materials and achieve different surface finishes and qualities.
PEI (polyetherimide) is a material used as a build surface for 3D printers. It is typically used as the surface of the print bed, which is the surface on which the printed object is created. PEI surface is valued for its ease of use and its ability to adhere strongly to printed objects during the printing process, while also allowing for easy removal once the print is complete.
PEI is typically coated with another material, such as tempered glass or metal, to make it more durable and resistant to damage. Some 3D printers have integrated PEI surfaces, while others allow users to replace the build surface with a separate PEI surface if needed.
A thermistor is a temperature sensor used in a 3D printer to measure the temperature of the hotend (nozzle) and the filament during the printing process. The thermistor is typically placed near the hotend and is connected to a controller that uses the temperature data to adjust the hotend and filament temperatures in real-time. This helps maintain the temperature at an optimal level for the proper and smooth operation of the 3D printer.
A heating cartridge is a component of a 3D printer used to heat the print head and filament during the printing process. The heating cartridge typically consists of a metal filament wound around a ceramic or metal core. When the heating cartridge is supplied with electrical current, the metal filament heats up and transfers its heat to the print head and filament, melting the filament and extruding it to create the 3D object.
A pneufit is a connector used in some 3D printers to connect PTFE tubes to various components of the printer that require filament guidance to operate. Pneufits are typically used to connect PTFE tubes between the extruder and the print head.
A hotend is the set of components in a 3D printer responsible for melting and extruding the filament to create the 3D object. A hotend typically consists of a print head, a heating cartridge, a thermistor, a heatbreak, and a nozzle. The print head is responsible for melting the filament and directing it to the nozzle.
A heated bed is a surface designed to be heated to a high temperature. In the context of 3D printing, a heated bed is used in 3D printers to keep a print bed warm during the printing process. This can be useful for various reasons, including ensuring that the printing material adheres properly to the print bed and preventing the material from cooling too quickly during printing, which can lead to defects in the printed object. The temperature of the heated bed needs to be adjusted based on the printing material being used and the design of the printed object.