Basics
Materials
History
Technical Issues
Applications
100

The process of making a physical object from a digital model using layer-by-layer deposition.

What is 3D printing?

100

This plastic, commonly used in FDM printing, is known for being easy to use and biodegradable.

What is PLA (Polylactic Acid)?

100

The first 3D printer was invented by Charles Hull in this year.

What is 1984?

100

This issue arises when the print bed is not correctly calibrated, leading to uneven first layers.

What is bed leveling?

100

This industry uses 3D printing to make prosthetics, implants, and custom surgical guides.

What is the medical industry?

200

This term describes the digital blueprint or file used to produce a 3D-printed object.

What is a CAD file?

200

This strong, durable plastic is often used in engineering applications due to its heat resistance.

What is ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)?

200

This 3D printing method, popularized in the 1990s, extrudes plastic through heated nozzle.

What is Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)?

200

This term describes when a 3D printer's layers are misaligned, resulting in shifted or skewed prints.

What is layer shifting?

200

3D printing allows architects to create detailed models of this.

What are buildings or architectural designs?

300

This type of software is used to prepare 3D models for printing by slicing them into layers.

What is slicing software?

300

This flexible filament is ideal for making rubbery parts like gaskets or grips.

What is TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)?

300

This method of 3D printing uses a laser to selectively melt and fuse powdered material together.

What is selective laser sintering (SLS)?

300

This problem happens when the extruder pushes out more filament than necessary, creating blobs or strings.

What is over-extrusion?

300

Space agencies like NASA have used 3D printing to create parts for use in this environment.

What is space or zero-gravity?

400

This process uses a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic, layer by layer.

What is stereolithography (SLA)?

400

This 3D printing material is known for being metal-like and is often used for creating jewelry and detailed sculptures.

What is resin?

400

This American engineer is credited with inventing Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) in the mid-1980s.

Who is Dr. Carl Deckard?

400

This occurs when the filament is not extruding smoothly, often due to a partially clogged nozzle. 

What is under-extrusion?

400

A method for 3D printing based on computerized tomography scans to create objects from photo-curable resin.

What is Computed Axial Lithography (CAL)?

500

This term describes the process of creating internal structures inside a 3D-printed part to save material and reduce weight.

What is infill?

500

This advanced material is used in powder-based 3D printing and is known for being lightweight and strong, making it ideal for aerospace applications.

What is titanium?

500

This organization, known for its research into space exploration, developed a 3D printer capable of creating metal rocket engine parts.

What is NASA?

500

This common issue occurs when filament fails to stick to the printer bed, causing prints to warp or shift.

What is bed adhesion failure?

500

The aerospace industry uses 3D printing to create lightweight parts for this type of advanced propulsion system.

What are rocket engines?