Dictionary of 3D Printing
Active cooling fan
The fan that cools the plastic filament as it extrudes.
Build plate
The surface on which the 3D Printer makes the object.
Build platform
The support for the build plate.The build platform includes knobs for manual leveling.
Drive gear
A part of the extruder assembly.The Delrin plunger pushes the plastic filament against the drive gear.
Extruder
Draws plastic filament from the spool and pushes it into the nozzle,where it is heated and squeezed onto the build plate.
Extruder Fan
The fan that keeps the 3D Printer motor cool and disperses heat form the heat sink.
Fan guard
A grill that protects the extruder fan and protects the user from the fan.
Filament guide tube
A plastic tube that guides the plastic filament from the filament spool to the extruder.
GCode
A computer language used to describe the toolpath your 3D Printer will use to build an object.GCode is converted to S3G before being sent to your machine.
Heat sink
An active heat sink that dissipates heat from the cartridge heater.It looks like an aluminum plate with fins.
LCD control pannel
The liquid-crystal display in the front lower right corner of the 3D Printer.This control panel provides status information about the 3D Printer and includes control menus and diagnostics.
Plastic Filament
Polylactic acid filament.PLA is a renewable bioplastic.The plastic filament is the source material from which you make objects on the 3D Printer.
Maker Ware
Free software are created that allows you to load 3D model files,manipulate, and edit those files,and send them to 3D Printer for building.
Motor assembly
The stepper motor and the drive block that push filament into the extruder.
Motor wires
The bundle of electrical wires that provide power to motor.
Nozzle
The opening on the end of the extruder from which heated plastic filament emerges to be spread onto the build plate.
Power supply
An A/C power supply for the 3D Printer that includes a block of two plugs.
Plunger
A part of the extruder assembly.The Delrin plunger pushes the plastic filament against the drive gear.
Replicater G
Free,open source software that allows you to manipulate and edit .stl files and GCode files and send them to the 3D Printer.
S3G
A compact format for describing the toolpath your 3D Printer will use to build an object.
SD Card
Secure Digital memory card that can store digital data and be read by the 3D Printer.
Spacers
Plastic pieces that keep the extruder fan and heat sink secure and in place.
Spool holder
A part that attaches to the back of the 3D Printer and holds the spool of plastic filament.The spool holder ensures that the plastic filament is fed evenly to the 3D Printer.
STL
A widely used file format for 3D models.
THING
A file format used by MakerWare that allows you to print multiple 3D models on the same plate.
Thingiverse
A website for uploading and downloading 3D model files for use with the 3D Printer.
Threaded rod
A long rod that is threaded along its entire length.This rod allows the build platform to move up and down.
USB cable
A cable that allows the 3D Printer to communicate with a computer using the USB interface on the computer.
