3D Manufacturing Format
DE 3MF
Newer exchange format for 3D printing. Unlike STL, it also stores units, colours, materials and print settings in one file.
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3D printing glossary
The most important terms around 3D printing, design and post-processing – explained briefly and clearly.
0–9
3D Printing
DE 3D-Druck
Umbrella term for processes that build a part layer by layer directly from a digital model – without any mould or tooling.
3D Scanning
DE 3D-Scan
Contactless capture of the surface of a real object. The result is a point cloud or mesh that can be further processed into a CAD model.
A
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
DE ABS
Impact-resistant thermoplastic with more temperature reserve than PLA. Used in FDM printing for housings and technical parts.
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate
DE ASA
Plastic related to ABS that is also UV- and weather-resistant. First choice for FDM parts used outdoors.
Additive Manufacturing (AM)
DE Additive Fertigung
Technical term for industrial 3D printing: material is added selectively instead of being removed as in milling.
Anisotropy
DE Anisotropie
Properties depend on direction. An FDM part is often stronger along the layers than across them – which is why print orientation matters so much.
Assembly
DE Montage
Joining printed parts with screws, inserts, bearings or other components into a finished assembly.
B
Biomimetics
DE Bionik
Transferring design principles from nature to components, such as branched, lightweight load-bearing structures.
Blasting
DE Strahlen
Mechanical surface treatment with fine blasting media. Removes powder residue and creates an even matte finish.
Brim
DE Brim
A flat rim of extra lines around the first FDM layer. It improves adhesion and helps against warping.
Build Orientation
DE Bauorientierung
How a part is positioned in the printer. It affects strength, surface, support requirements and print time.
Build Plate
DE Bauplattform
The surface on which printing starts and to which the part adheres during the build.
Build Volume
DE Bauraum
The maximum space in which a printer can build. Larger parts are split and joined afterwards.
C
Calibration
DE Kalibrierung
Adjusting equipment and measuring instruments to reference values so that dimensions and processes are correct.
Carbon Fiber Reinforced
DE CF-verstärkt
Plastic with blended-in carbon fibres. Stiffer and more dimensionally stable; the reinforcement acts mainly in the strand direction.
Chemical Smoothing
DE Chemisches Glätten
The surface of a plastic part is softened with solvent vapour and flows smooth. Layer lines largely disappear.
Computer-Aided Design
DE CAD
Computer-aided design. The 3D models and drawings we print from are created in CAD.
Contract Manufacturing
DE Lohnfertigung
We manufacture parts from your data on your behalf – from single parts to small series.
D
Depowdering
DE Entpulvern
After SLS or metal printing, the loose powder is removed from the part and from cavities.
Design Engineering
DE Konstruktion
The technical development of a component – from the idea through the CAD model to the drawing.
Design for Additive Manufacturing
DE DfAM
Designing with 3D printing in mind: shaping forms, wall thicknesses and overhangs so that the process can play to its strengths.
Deviation Analysis
DE Soll-Ist-Vergleich
Colour-coded comparison between scan and CAD model that makes deviations on the component visible.
Digital Inventory
DE Digitales Ersatzteillager
Spare parts are stored as files instead of on shelves and only printed when needed.
Digital Light Processing
DE DLP
Resin process in which a projector exposes a whole layer at once. Related to SLA.
Dimensional Accuracy
DE Maßhaltigkeit
How closely the finished part matches the dimensions in the CAD model.
Dip Dyeing
DE Tauchfärben
Dyeing process for porous powder parts (SLS, MJF): the dye penetrates the surface layer permanently.
Dyeing
DE Färben
Colouring 3D printed parts in a dye bath. With porous SLS parts, the dye penetrates the surface layer and lasts permanently.
E
Elephant’s Foot
DE Elefantenfuß
First layers of an FDM part that bulge slightly outwards. A small chamfer on the bottom edge prevents it.
Elongation at Break
DE Bruchdehnung
How far a material can be stretched before it breaks. High values mean tough, forgiving behaviour.
F
Filament
DE Filament
Plastic wire on a spool – the raw material for FDM printing.
Finite Element Analysis
DE FEM-Simulation
Calculation of stresses and deformations on the CAD model before a part is manufactured.
Fit
DE Passung
The interaction of two components: clearance, transition or press fit. Printed parts often require finishing.
Fixture
DE Vorrichtung
Aid that holds a workpiece securely in position during machining, inspection or assembly.
Fused Deposition Modeling
DE FDM
Fused deposition modeling: plastic filament is melted in a nozzle and deposited track by track. Robust and cost-effective.
Fused Filament Fabrication
DE FFF
Another name for the same principle as FDM. Both terms are used interchangeably in everyday practice.
G
Gauge
DE Lehre
Inspection or assembly aid used to quickly check dimensions, positions or hole patterns.
Glass Beads
DE Glaskugeln (GB)
Filler made of small glass beads, e.g. in PA12 GB. It increases stiffness, dimensional accuracy and heat deflection temperature.
Glass Fiber Reinforced
DE GF-verstärkt
Plastic with glass fibres: stiff, temperature-resistant and usually cheaper than CF-reinforced variants.
Gripper Jaw
DE Greiferbacke
Exchangeable contact part of a gripper that is adapted to the respective workpiece – ideal for 3D printing.
H
Heat Deflection Temperature
DE HDT
The temperature at which a test specimen bends under a defined load.
Hollowing
DE Aushöhlen
A solid model is turned into a shell with a defined wall thickness. Saves material, weight and often print time.
Hot End
DE Hotend
The heated part of the FDM print head in which the filament is melted.
I
Infill
DE Füllung
The internal structure of an FDM part. Infill density and pattern determine weight, strength, material consumption and print time.
ISO/ASTM 52900
DE ISO/ASTM 52900
Basic standard of additive manufacturing with terminology and the classification of processes.
ISO/ASTM 52920
DE ISO/ASTM 52920
Standard with requirements for industrial additive manufacturing processes and production sites.
Isotropy
DE Isotropie
Equal properties in all directions. Powder processes such as SLS and MJF come closer to this than FDM.
L
Laser Cutting
DE Laserschnitt
A laser beam cuts sheet material precisely along a contour. For gaskets, panels and templates.
Laser Engraving
DE Lasergravur
A laser removes material at the surface and creates permanent labels, logos or serial numbers.
Laser Powder Bed Fusion
DE L-PBF
Laser powder bed fusion: a laser fuses metal powder layer by layer into a solid component.
Lattice
DE Gitterstruktur
Three-dimensional lattice inside or on the surface of a component. Saves weight and can dampen or stiffen in a targeted way.
Layer
DE Layer
A single slice of a 3D print. Every 3D printed part consists of many layers stacked on top of each other.
Layer Height
DE Schichthöhe
The thickness of a single layer. Thinner layers produce finer surfaces but take longer.
Layer Line
DE Schichtlinie
The fine, visible step between two layers – typical of FDM parts.
Lightweight Design
DE Leichtbau
Components with as little material as possible for the same function – through topology optimisation, lattices or ribs.
Low-Volume Production
DE Kleinserie
A manageable quantity of identical parts. Economical with 3D printing because there are no tooling costs.
M
Mesh
DE Mesh
A net of many small triangles that describes the surface of a 3D model. STL files are meshes.
Metal Additive Manufacturing
DE Metall-3D-Druck
Additive manufacturing from metal powder, such as stainless steel, aluminium or titanium (SLM). For high-strength and lightweight components.
Minimum Wall Thickness
DE Mindestwandstärke
The thinnest wall a process can produce reliably. It depends on process, material and geometry.
Multi Jet Fusion
DE MJF
Powder bed process from HP: a print head applies fusing and detailing agents, a heat source fuses the layer. Delivers dense, uniform series parts.
N
Nesting
DE Nesting
Arranging many parts as densely as possible in the build volume, especially with SLS and MJF – reduces unit costs.
Nozzle
DE Düse
The opening on the FDM print head from which the molten plastic emerges. Its diameter influences level of detail and print speed.
O
On-Demand Manufacturing
DE On-Demand-Fertigung
Parts are only manufactured when they are needed – without stock or minimum quantities.
Orthosis
DE Orthese
Medical aid to support or guide a part of the body. Can be individually adapted via 3D scanning and 3D printing.
Overhang
DE Überhang
An area that protrudes sideways beyond the layer below. Beyond a certain angle it needs supports.
P
Perimeter / Walls
DE Perimeter
The outer contour lines of an FDM part. More perimeters increase strength and tightness.
Point Cloud
DE Punktwolke
The raw data of a 3D scan: millions of individual measuring points on the surface of an object.
Polyamide
DE PA (Nylon)
Tough, abrasion-resistant plastic. As filament in FDM printing, as powder in SLS and MJF printing.
Polyamide 11
DE PA11
Polyamide with high elongation at break for SLS and MJF printing – good for clips and snap fits.
Polyamide 12
DE PA12
The standard material in SLS printing: strong, tough and dimensionally accurate.
Polycarbonate
DE PC
Very strong, temperature-resistant thermoplastic for demanding FDM parts.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
DE PETG
Tough, chemically resistant filament and a good all-rounder for functional parts.
Polylactic Acid
DE PLA
Easy-to-print, dimensionally stable plastic for samples, models and gauges. Not suitable for heat.
Polypropylene
DE PP
Light, tough and highly chemical-resistant plastic – available in FDM and MJF printing.
Post-Curing
DE Nachhärten
After printing, SLA parts are fully cured with UV light and heat so that they reach their final properties.
Post-Processing
DE Nachbearbeitung
Everything that happens after printing: support removal, cleaning, sanding, inserting threads, engraving.
Powder Bed
DE Pulverbett
The powder layer in which the part is built in SLS and SLM (metal). The loose powder supports the part.
Print Settings
DE Druckparameter
All settings of a print, such as temperature, speed, layer height and infill. They determine quality and strength.
Process Parameters
DE Prozessparameter
Defined settings per material and process that ensure reproducible results.
Production Aids
DE Betriebsmittel
Aids for production such as fixtures, gripper jaws, gauges and assembly aids – a core application of 3D printing.
Prototype
DE Prototyp
Early sample of a component to check form, fit or function before investing in tooling.
R
Raft
DE Raft
An additional base under the actual part that improves adhesion to the build plate.
Rapid Prototyping
DE Rapid Prototyping
Fast production of prototypes directly from CAD data – the classic use of 3D printing.
Rapid Tooling
DE Rapid Tooling
Printed tools and tool inserts, e.g. for small series in injection moulding or as moulds.
Resin
DE Harz
Liquid plastic that cures under light in SLA. There are standard, tough, flexible, transparent and heat-resistant resins.
Reverse Engineering
DE Reverse Engineering
A CAD model is created again from an existing component – e.g. via 3D scanning and redesign.
S
Selective Laser Melting
DE Laserschmelzen (SLM)
Metal 3D printing in which a laser completely melts metal powder – for dense, high-strength components.
Selective Laser Sintering
DE SLS
Selective laser sintering: a laser fuses plastic powder. Works without support structures.
Shore Hardness
DE Shore-Härte
Hardness scale for soft, elastic materials such as TPU: 40A is very soft, 95A already fairly firm.
Shrinkage
DE Schrumpfung
Material contracts when cooling or curing. We take this into account in print preparation and design.
Slicer
DE Slicer
Software that slices a 3D model into layers and generates the control commands for the printer.
Spare Part
DE Ersatzteil
Component that replaces a defective original. With 3D printing, possible even when there is no drawing and no supplier any more.
Stainless Steel
DE Edelstahl
Corrosion-resistant steel used in SLM (metal) for robust machine parts and tools.
Stair-Stepping
DE Treppeneffekt
Steps on inclined or curved surfaces caused by the layer-by-layer build. Thinner layers reduce it.
STEP (ISO 10303)
DE STEP
Standardised CAD exchange format with exact geometry. Our preferred format for enquiries.
Stereolithography
DE SLA
Stereolithography: light cures liquid resin layer by layer. For the finest details and smooth surfaces.
STL
DE STL
Widely used file format that describes the surface of a model with triangles – without units, colour or material.
Support
DE Stützstruktur
Auxiliary geometry that supports overhanging areas during printing and is removed afterwards.
Support Removal
DE Entstützen
Removing the support structures after printing. Part of our post-processing.
Surface Reconstruction
DE Flächenrückführung
Clean, mathematically defined surfaces are created from scan data for an editable CAD model.
Surface Roughness
DE Oberflächenrauheit
Measure of the fine irregularities of a surface. SLA is very smooth, SLS slightly rough, FDM shows layer lines.
T
Tensile Strength
DE Zugfestigkeit
The highest tensile load a material can withstand before it fails.
Thermoplastic
DE Thermoplast
Plastic that softens when heated and solidifies again when cooled. The basis for FDM and SLS.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane
DE TPU
Rubber-like elastic plastic for seals, buffers and grips.
Threaded Insert
DE Gewindeeinsatz
Metal sleeve with an internal thread that is inserted into a plastic part. Ideal for screw connections that are opened frequently.
Titanium
DE Titan
Very strong yet light metal, popular in 3D printing for motorsport and special applications.
Tolerance
DE Toleranz
The permitted deviation of a dimension. Please state important tolerances in your enquiry.
Topology Optimization
DE Topologieoptimierung
Software calculates where a component needs material and where it doesn’t. The result is light, organic-looking shapes.
Traceability
DE Rückverfolgbarkeit
Traceability of material, process and parameters for every manufactured component.
U
UV Printing
DE UV-Druck
Direct printing with ink that cures instantly under UV light. Enables full-colour logos and labels – also as a tactile 3D structure.
V
Vapor Smoothing
DE Vapor Smoothing
Smoothing the surface of plastic parts with solvent vapour; also known as chemical smoothing.
W
Wall Thickness
DE Wandstärke
The distance between the inside and outside of a wall. Too thin becomes unstable, too thick wastes material.
Warping
DE Verzug
Unwanted deformation due to uneven cooling, often at the corners of large flat parts.
Watertight / Manifold
DE Wasserdichtes Modell
A closed 3D model without holes or open edges – a prerequisite for a clean print.
Y
Young’s Modulus
DE E-Modul
Measure of a material’s stiffness: the higher it is, the less the part deforms under load.
Z
Z-Axis
DE Z-Achse
The axis along which the part grows layer by layer in height.
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