Rapid Prototyping & Additive Processes
Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll come across.
terms categories
What Is DMLS? Direct Metal Laser Sintering
SLM (selective laser melting)DMLM (direct metal laser melting)
DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) is a metal 3D printing process in which a high-power laser selectively fuses fine metal powder, layer by layer, into a dense metal part.
Read moreFDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
FFF (fused filament fabrication)Material extrusion
FDM (fused deposition modeling) is a material extrusion 3D printing process that melts a thermoplastic filament and deposits it through a heated nozzle, layer by layer, to build a part.
Read moreWhat Is Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)? Definition | NICE Rapid
MJF
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a powder bed fusion 3D printing process that builds polymer parts, most often nylon PA12, by jetting a fusing agent and a detailing agent onto each layer of powder, then exposing the layer to infrared energy.
Read moreWhat Is SLA 3D Printing? Definition & Uses
Stereolithography apparatusVat photopolymerization
SLA (stereolithography) is a 3D printing process that uses an ultraviolet laser to cure liquid photopolymer resin into a solid part, one thin layer at a time.
Read moreWhat Is Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)?
Selective Laser SinteringSLS
Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a powder bed fusion 3D printing process in which a laser fuses thin layers of polymer powder, most often nylon (PA12), into a solid part.
Read moreWhat Is a STEP File? Definition & STEP vs STL
STP.stp.step.p21Part 21 fileISO 10303
A STEP file (.stp or .step) is a neutral 3D CAD format defined by ISO 10303, the international standard for exchanging product data between design, manufacturing and inspection software.
Read moreWhat Is an STL File? Definition & Uses
Standard Tessellation LanguageStandard Triangle LanguageSTereoLithography
An STL file is a 3D model format that describes the surface of a part as a mesh of triangles, storing only each triangle's corner coordinates and outward-facing direction.
Read moreWhat Is Vacuum Casting? Definition & Process
Urethane castingPolyurethane casting
Vacuum casting is a low-volume process that makes plastic parts by pouring liquid resin, usually polyurethane, into a silicone mold under vacuum so it fills fine detail without air bubbles.
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