3d Printing

Question 1

What format do you export from a CAD software program for 3d printing?

Answer 1

STL stands for either: stereo lithograph or Standard Tessellation Language.

Question 2

What does an STL file contain?

Answer 2

Mesh data with all of the faces that form the design.

Question 3

What is CAM software?

Answer 3

Computer Aided Manufacturing software converts geometric data into instructions for computer-controlled machines. Aka ‘slicer’

Question 4

How is resolution measured on a 3d printer?

Answer 4

By layer height which is variable within and between prints. We use microns or millimeters as units.

Question 5

What does ABS stand for

Answer 5

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene

Question 6

What does PLA stand for?

Answer 6

Polylactic acid

Question 7

What is the shallowest angle most 3d printers can create without supports?

Answer 7

45 degrees

Question 8

What is FDM printing?

Answer 8

Fused deposition modeling. Also sometimes called FFF Fused filament fabrication. Works like an accurate computer-controlled glue gun.

Question 9

Isotropic

Answer 9

Same strength in different directions.

Question 10

What file types can be used with full color 3d printers?

Answer 10

X3d, VRML or WRL, OBJ with texture map, or DAE

Question 11

Bounding Box

Answer 11

Maximum size you can print. Also called build envelope.

Question 12

Clearance

Answer 12

Minimum distance between two elements so they can be successfully printed.

Question 13

Direct Modeling

Answer 13

Add and modify geometry freely

Question 14

Parametric Modeling

Answer 14

Define relationships between objects, uses variables and constraints.

Question 15

What are the three boolean operators for solid design?

Answer 15

Union (or), Subtraction (not) and Intersection (and)

Question 16

What is solid modeling?

Answer 16

Use of whole, ‘water tight’ 3d objects to create a design.

Question 17

What is surface and mesh modeling?

Question 18

Why use solid modeling?

Answer 18

Good for work that starts with 2d sketechs and 3d primitives.

Good for beginners

Always watertight

Question 19

Why use surface and mesh workflows?

Answer 19

Better suited for complex shapes

Question 20

What is Photogrammetry?

Answer 20

A 3d scanning process that uses traditional photography, moving slowly in a circle around the object at both a low and high angle. Software uses triangulation to create a 3d mesh and UV map for color.

Question 21

What is Laser Triangulation?

Answer 21

A 3d scanning process that uses a rectilinear laser beam and a camera to analyze deformation of the light. Software triangulates and extrapolates a 3d mesh. Usually a fixed unit with turntable or gantry, no color data.

Question 22

What is a structured light scanner?

Answer 22

A type of 3d scanner with a combination of one or more cameras and projected light (stripes or dots). Software interpreters the geometry of the object. Can be handheld or tripod mounted and may be mesh only or mesh and color.

Question 23

What are the three main types of 3d scanners?

Answer 23

Photogrammetry, Laser Triangulation, Structured Light

Question 24

What is a good generic layer height for an average print?

Answer 24

0.15mm

Question 25

What is G-code?

Answer 25

Output of a slicer, the instructions for the 3d printer to create your design.

Question 26

What is a brim?

Answer 26

A layer along the outside of the model that doesn't go under.

Question 27

What is a raft?

Answer 27

A series of layers built underneath a model you are printing. It is intended to improve adhesion and prevent warping. It is mad of a layer of thicker plastic printed slowly followed by several layers of mesh like spines of a hairbrush that detach from the print.

Question 28

When should you use a raft?

Answer 28

If you have adhesion problems, or your model would have few points of contact with the bed

Question 29

What is a brim used for?

Answer 29

Protect against warping and improves adhesion. Takes less material and cleanup than a boat. Helps your model have a smooth bottom layer.

Question 30

What is a skirt?

Answer 30

A ring of printed materials set far enough away from the model that they don't touch.

Question 31

Why use a skirt?

Answer 31

A skirt primes the extruder and allows any delay or fits and starts to happen before your model is printed.

Question 32

What does 'Ironing' 3d prints mean and what is it used for?

Answer 32

3d printer moves the nozzle back and forth over the top layer. Good for smoothing out the surface to be flat.

Question 33

What data does an OBJ file store?

Answer 33

Geometry, texture, color, and material data

Question 34

What does NURBS stand for?

Answer 34

Non-uniform Rational B-Spline

Question 35

What does NURBS modeling use to create a 3D model?

Answer 35

Mathematical representations of curves and surfaces defined by control points and knots.

Question 36

Perimiter

Answer 36

Perimeters are the walls of a 3D printed object, also known as a shell, wall, or perimeter. They are the number of lines used in printing each wall, and the wall thickness is the number of perimeters multiplied by the line width

Question 37

Micron

Answer 37

1 micron = 0.0000001 meter In 3D printing, the unit represents layer height. Also called sprint resolution or z height The lower the micron the better the resolution.

Question 38

Interlocking Parts

Answer 38

Joints that rely on frictional force between two parts to hold the joint. Types: Box Joint, Dovetail, Tongue and Groove.

Question 39

Snap-Fit joints

Answer 39

Formed by snapping or bending the mating parts into a position where they are held in place by interference with interlocking features. Types: Cantilever Snap Fits, Annular Snap Fits, Torsional snap fits,