Portland Glossary and Reference Guide to 3D Printing Terminology and Concepts

Glossary of 3D Printing Terms [45]

V Vacuum Assisted Resin Flow Vacuum assisted resin flow enhances resin distribution in SLA and DLP 3D printing by using vacuum pressure to eliminate air pockets and ensure even flow across the build area. It prevents curing defects, layer separation, and surface imperfections. Advanced systems feature vacuum channels, pressure sensors, and automated cycling for consistent resin flow. Proper configuration reduces bubbles, voids, and curing inconsistencies, enhancing layer bonding and dimensional accuracy. Vacuum assisted resin flow supports complex geometries, intricate details, and high-resolution prints.
Vacuum Casting Vacuum casting uses a 3D printed master pattern to create silicone molds for casting polyurethane resins, achieving high-quality replicas with intricate details and smooth surfaces. It provides excellent dimensional accuracy, impact resistance, and material versatility. Vacuum casting is ideal for low-volume production, functional prototypes, and custom parts. Proper mold design, venting, and degassing ensure consistent casting and ease of demolding. Advanced systems support multi-material integration, color matching, and over-molding. Vacuum casting expands applications in product design, automotive, and medical devices.
Vacuum Chamber Curing Vacuum chamber curing uses a vacuum environment to remove air bubbles and ensure consistent polymerization in resin-based 3D printing. It enhances mechanical properties, surface finish, and dimensional accuracy. Vacuum chambers are particularly useful for transparent resins, flexible materials, and intricate details. Proper vacuum pressure, exposure time, and post-curing settings ensure even curing and layer bonding. Advanced systems provide temperature control, UV light integration, and automated degassing. Vacuum chamber curing improves print consistency, optical clarity, and structural integrity for high-quality models and functional prototypes.
Vacuum Degassing Vacuum degassing removes trapped air bubbles from photopolymer resin, ensuring consistent curing and high-resolution prints. It is particularly useful for transparent, flexible, or viscous resins prone to voids and layer separation. Vacuum degassing chambers provide controlled pressure, automated cycling, and real-time monitoring for effective degassing. Proper mixing, temperature control, and degassing duration ensure bubble-free prints with accurate dimensions and smooth surfaces. Vacuum degassing enhances print consistency, optical clarity, and mechanical integrity for high-quality models and functional prototypes.
Vacuum Filtration Vacuum filtration is used to remove impurities, particles, or bubbles from photopolymer resins, ensuring consistent viscosity and high-resolution prints. It enhances layer bonding, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish. Advanced filtration systems use vacuum pumps, fine mesh filters, and automated cycling for efficient resin purification. Proper filtration reduces print defects, curing inconsistencies, and contamination. It is particularly useful for pigmented, metallic, or ceramic resins. Vacuum filtration ensures reliable prints with accurate dimensions and smooth surfaces, supporting complex geometries and detailed textures.
Vacuum Forming with 3D Printed Molds Vacuum forming uses a 3D printed mold to shape thermoplastic sheets by heating and pressing them over the mold using a vacuum. It is a cost-effective method for prototyping, custom packaging, and low-volume production. 3D printed molds provide intricate details, complex geometries, and rapid design iterations. Proper material selection, including heat-resistant filaments like ABS or Polycarbonate, ensures durability and dimensional accuracy. Advanced CAD tools optimize mold design for efficient airflow, cooling, and demolding. Vacuum forming expands possibilities for product design, automotive parts, and architectural models.
Vacuum Hold-Down Vacuum hold-down secures build plates, workpieces, or molds using suction, ensuring stability, alignment, and dimensional accuracy during 3D printing. It eliminates the need for adhesives, clamps, or tapes, reducing warping, lifting, or layer separation. Advanced systems feature adjustable vacuum zones, pressure sensors, and adaptive suction control for versatile material compatibility. Proper vacuum hold-down ensures consistent first layers, layer bonding, and surface finish. It enhances print reliability, efficiency, and user convenience, supporting flexible filaments, thin-walled structures, and multi-material assemblies.
Vacuum Impregnation Vacuum impregnation involves soaking 3D printed parts in resin or sealant under vacuum to fill micro-voids, enhance mechanical properties, and improve water or chemical resistance. It strengthens layer bonding, dimensional stability, and surface finish. Vacuum impregnation is particularly useful for porous materials, powder-based prints, or functional prototypes requiring durability and sealing. Proper resin selection, vacuum pressure, and curing settings ensure consistent impregnation and reliable performance. It expands applications in automotive, aerospace, and consumer products for enhanced strength, insulation, and protection.
Vacuum Sealing for Filament Storage Vacuum sealing protects 3D printing filament from moisture absorption, preventing swelling, brittleness, and inconsistent extrusion. It is essential for hygroscopic materials like Nylon, PVA, and TPU. Proper vacuum sealing involves airtight bags, desiccant packs, and vacuum pumps to maintain low humidity. Advanced storage systems use humidity sensors and automatic vacuum mechanisms for long-term preservation. Proper storage ensures consistent flow, layer bonding, and mechanical properties, enhancing print reliability and quality. Vacuum sealing supports multi-material setups, flexible filaments, and high-performance applications.
Vacuum Table for Bed Adhesion A vacuum table uses suction to hold the print bed securely, enhancing adhesion, stability, and dimensional accuracy. It eliminates the need for adhesives, clips, or tapes, reducing warping, lifting, or layer separation. Vacuum tables are ideal for flexible filaments, thin-walled structures, and complex geometries. Advanced systems feature adjustable suction, pressure sensors, and modular plates for versatile material compatibility. Proper vacuum management ensures consistent first layers, layer bonding, and surface finish. Vacuum tables enhance print reliability, efficiency, and user convenience.
Vacuum-Assisted Printing Vacuum-assisted printing uses a vacuum system to hold parts securely on the build plate or mold surface, ensuring stability, alignment, and dimensional accuracy. It enhances bed adhesion, reducing warping, lifting, or layer shifting. Vacuum-assistance is particularly useful for flexible filaments, thin-walled structures, and delicate details. Advanced systems integrate vacuum channels, pressure sensors, and adaptive suction control for consistent layer bonding and print reliability. Proper design and configuration enhance print stability, surface finish, and mechanical properties, expanding applications in functional parts, composites, and multi-material assemblies.
Vapor Smoothing Vapor smoothing is a post-processing technique that uses chemical vapors (e.g., acetone for ABS) to melt and smooth the surface of 3D printed parts. It reduces visible layer lines, enhances surface gloss, and improves water resistance. Vapor smoothing is ideal for aesthetic models, functional prototypes, and airtight enclosures. Proper safety measures, including ventilation and protective gear, ensure safe handling of chemicals. Advanced vapor smoothing chambers provide consistent exposure, temperature control, and fume extraction. It enhances surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical strength.
Variable Density Foam Printing Variable density foam printing uses expandable thermoplastic or polyurethane foams to create lightweight, cushioning structures with adjustable density and rigidity. It provides shock absorption, thermal insulation, and energy efficiency. Advanced multi-material systems control foam expansion, layer thickness, and infill patterns for customized mechanical properties. Proper temperature, flow rate, and curing settings ensure consistent foam structure and dimensional accuracy. Variable density foam printing enhances ergonomics, safety, and functionality, supporting applications in footwear, automotive interiors, and protective packaging.
Variable Infill Density Variable infill density adjusts infill patterns and percentages within a single print to optimize strength, weight, and material usage. It provides higher density in stress-prone areas and lower density in non-structural regions. Advanced slicing software customizes variable infill for impact resistance, flexibility, and mechanical performance. Proper configuration enhances load distribution, rigidity, and dimensional accuracy. It reduces print time, material costs, and weight while maintaining strength. Variable infill density is ideal for functional parts, mechanical assemblies, and lightweight designs.
Variable Layer Height Variable layer height adjusts layer thickness dynamically based on model complexity, enhancing surface finish, resolution, and print speed. It uses finer layers for detailed sections and thicker layers for flat or less detailed areas. Advanced slicing software automates variable layer height settings, optimizing print quality and efficiency. Proper configuration reduces visible layer lines, artifacts, and print time. It enhances dimensional accuracy, aesthetics, and mechanical properties. Variable layer height is ideal for organic shapes, artistic models, and functional prototypes with complex curves and intricate details.
Variable Mechanical Properties Variable mechanical properties customize stiffness, flexibility, and strength within a single print by adjusting infill density, layer orientation, or multi-material integration. It provides rigidity in load-bearing areas and flexibility in moving parts or joints. Advanced multi-material printers achieve gradient transitions between hard and soft regions. Proper slicing algorithms, infill patterns, and toolpaths optimize stress distribution, impact resistance, and fatigue durability. Variable mechanical properties enhance functionality, comfort, and performance, supporting wearable devices, robotics, and ergonomic products.
Variable Nozzle Diameter Variable nozzle diameter involves dynamically adjusting the nozzle size during printing to optimize resolution, speed, and material usage. It uses adjustable or interchangeable nozzles to switch between fine details and rapid infill. Smaller diameters enhance resolution and sharp edges, while larger diameters accelerate print speed and layer bonding. Advanced multi-nozzle systems automate diameter changes for complex geometries and multi-material prints. Proper calibration ensures consistent extrusion, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish. Variable nozzle diameter expands design flexibility, productivity, and high-resolution capabilities.
Variable Print Speed Variable print speed dynamically adjusts the printing speed based on model complexity, layer height, and geometry. It slows down for intricate details, overhangs, or small features while accelerating for flat surfaces or infill. Advanced slicing software customizes variable speed settings for optimal print quality, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties. Proper configuration reduces artifacts, stringing, and layer misalignment. Variable print speed enhances productivity, surface finish, and consistency. It is ideal for complex geometries, high-resolution prints, and functional prototypes.
Variable Speed Extrusion Variable speed extrusion adjusts filament flow rate dynamically during printing, optimizing layer bonding, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish. It compensates for changes in print speed, geometry complexity, and layer height. Advanced firmware and slicing software synchronize extrusion speed with motion control, preventing under-extrusion, over-extrusion, and artifacts like blobs or stringing. Proper configuration enhances consistency, resolution, and mechanical properties. Variable speed extrusion supports complex geometries, high-resolution details, and multi-material transitions, enhancing print quality, productivity, and reliability.
Variable Surface Roughness Variable surface roughness customizes surface textures for functional or aesthetic purposes, optimizing grip, light diffusion, or fluid dynamics. It provides smooth surfaces for visual models and rough textures for ergonomic grips or aerodynamic parts. Advanced slicing software controls layer height, extrusion width, and infill patterns for adjustable roughness. Proper settings ensure consistent layer bonding, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties. Variable surface roughness enhances functionality, user experience, and design versatility, supporting consumer products, medical devices, and industrial components.
Variable Temperature Zones Variable temperature zones control heating in different regions of the print bed or nozzle, optimizing layer bonding, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties. It provides localized temperature adjustments for complex geometries, multi-material prints, or gradient transitions. Advanced multi-zone heating systems feature independent temperature control, sensors, and feedback loops for precise thermal management. Proper configuration enhances adhesion, cooling, and stress distribution. Variable temperature zones expand design flexibility, multi-material compatibility, and high-performance applications.
Variable Transparency Variable transparency adjusts the opacity or translucency of 3D printed parts by varying infill patterns, layer thickness, or material composition. It provides gradient transitions, light diffusion, and custom optical effects. Advanced multi-material systems enable precise control of transparency levels for realistic textures, color blending, and functional optics. Proper slicing algorithms, exposure settings, and post-processing techniques enhance transparency, gloss, and surface finish. Variable transparency expands creative possibilities, aesthetics, and functionality, supporting lighting, optical components, and artistic models.
Variable Wall Thickness Variable wall thickness adjusts wall dimensions within a single print for optimized strength, weight, and material usage. It provides thicker walls in stress-prone areas and thinner walls in non-structural regions. Advanced slicing software customizes wall thickness for impact resistance, rigidity, and flexibility. Proper configuration enhances load distribution, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish. It reduces print time, material costs, and weight while maintaining structural integrity. Variable wall thickness is ideal for functional parts, enclosures, and lightweight designs.
Ventilation for Resin Printing Ventilation is crucial in resin 3D printing to remove toxic fumes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and unpleasant odors. It ensures a safe and comfortable working environment. Proper ventilation systems include fume extractors, activated carbon filters, and air purifiers. Enclosed resin printers with exhaust fans and external ventilation ducts enhance safety and air quality. Proper room ventilation, including open windows or air circulation systems, further reduces VOC exposure. Proper safety practices enhance user health, environmental safety, and print quality.
Vertical Layer Alignment Vertical layer alignment ensures accurate positioning and consistent bonding of layers along the Z-axis, enhancing dimensional accuracy, structural integrity, and surface finish. It reduces visible seams, layer misalignment, and mechanical weaknesses. Advanced motion systems with closed-loop control, optical encoders, and precise stepper drivers provide high vertical resolution and repeatability. Proper calibration of Z-offset, layer height, and speed settings minimizes artifacts like banding or layer shifting. Vertical layer alignment supports high-resolution prints, tall structures, and complex geometries with reliable mechanical performance and aesthetic quality.
Vertical Layer Shifting Vertical layer shifting is a print defect where layers are misaligned along the Z-axis, affecting dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and structural integrity. It is caused by mechanical vibrations, loose belts, or inconsistent Z-stepper movements. Proper maintenance, including tightening belts, lubricating lead screws, and calibrating stepper drivers, prevents shifting. Advanced firmware features, such as input shaping and resonance compensation, minimize vibrations. Proper layer height, print speed, and acceleration settings enhance stability and alignment. Managing vertical layer shifting ensures consistent layer bonding and high-quality prints.
Vertical Lift (Z-Hop) Vertical lift, or Z-hop, raises the nozzle slightly during travel moves to avoid collisions with printed parts, reducing scarring, stringing, and layer shifting. It enhances surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and print reliability, especially for complex geometries, overhangs, or tall structures. Advanced slicing software customizes Z-hop height, speed, and retraction settings for optimal travel paths. Proper configuration prevents nozzle dragging, print failures, and artifacts. Vertical lift supports intricate details, multi-material transitions, and high-resolution applications.
Vertical Overhangs Vertical overhangs are features that extend outward from a vertical face, creating unsupported geometry prone to sagging or poor layer adhesion. Proper print orientation, support structures, and bridging techniques minimize overhang challenges. Advanced slicing software adjusts print speed, cooling, and support density for clean overhangs. Multi-axis printing or rotating build platforms eliminate the need for supports. Proper configuration ensures dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and structural integrity. Managing vertical overhangs expands design possibilities for complex geometries, functional parts, and artistic models.
Vibration Compensation Vibration compensation uses advanced algorithms to counteract mechanical vibrations and resonance during high-speed printing, ensuring accurate layer alignment and dimensional accuracy. It reduces artifacts like ghosting, ringing, or layer shifting. Input shaping and resonance compensation are common techniques used in modern firmware, like Klipper and Marlin. Proper calibration of acceleration, jerk, and speed settings minimizes vibrations. Advanced motion systems with silent stepper drivers and dampers further enhance stability. Vibration compensation improves print quality, surface finish, and precision, supporting high-speed and high-resolution applications.
Vibration Compensation Firmware Vibration compensation firmware uses advanced algorithms to counteract mechanical vibrations and resonance during high-speed printing. It enhances motion stability, layer alignment, and dimensional accuracy. Techniques like input shaping, resonance compensation, and dynamic jerk control reduce artifacts like ghosting, ringing, or layer shifting. Advanced firmware solutions like Klipper and Marlin provide customizable compensation settings for different printer setups. Proper calibration minimizes vibrations, enhancing print quality, surface finish, and precision. Vibration compensation firmware supports high-speed, high-resolution, and complex geometries.
Vibration Isolators Vibration isolators reduce mechanical vibrations and noise during 3D printing, enhancing layer alignment, surface finish, and dimensional accuracy. They use dampers, shock absorbers, or anti-vibration pads to minimize resonance and oscillations. Advanced systems incorporate active vibration control with feedback sensors and dynamic compensation. Proper installation and calibration reduce artifacts like ghosting, ringing, or layer shifting. Vibration isolators enhance stability, precision, and print quality, supporting high-speed, high-resolution, and multi-material applications.
Virtual Prototyping Virtual prototyping uses computer simulations and digital models to test, visualize, and validate designs before physical 3D printing. It evaluates structural integrity, mechanical performance, and aesthetic appearance. Advanced CAD tools provide real-time manipulation, assembly testing, and functional analysis. Virtual reality (VR) integration enables immersive interactions, scale adjustments, and user experience evaluation. Proper simulation and validation reduce design iterations, prototyping costs, and development time. Virtual prototyping enhances creativity, functionality, and design accuracy, supporting product design, engineering, and educational models.
Virtual Reality (VR) Integration VR integration in 3D printing involves using virtual reality for immersive design, visualization, and simulation. It enables real-time model manipulation, scale adjustments, and structural analysis. VR tools provide interactive slicing, support placement, and print preview with accurate dimensions and textures. It enhances collaboration, prototyping, and design validation, reducing iteration cycles and development costs. Advanced VR systems synchronize with CAD software and cloud platforms for seamless workflow integration. VR integration expands creative possibilities, user experience, and productivity, supporting product design, architecture, and education.
Viscoelastic Damping Viscoelastic damping uses flexible, energy-absorbing materials to reduce vibrations, noise, and mechanical oscillations in 3D printed parts. It enhances impact resistance, fatigue durability, and structural stability. Viscoelastic filaments, such as TPU or TPE, provide high damping properties, ideal for shock absorbers, vibration isolators, and wearable devices. Proper layer bonding, infill patterns, and print orientation optimize damping performance. Advanced simulations analyze dynamic behavior and stress distribution. Viscoelastic damping expands applications in automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics for noise reduction and mechanical stability.
Viscoelastic Materials Viscoelastic materials exhibit both elastic and viscous properties, providing flexibility, energy absorption, and damping. They are ideal for wearable devices, cushioning, and vibration isolation. Viscoelastic filaments, such as TPE or TPU, offer high elongation, impact resistance, and chemical resistance. Proper print settings, including low speed, direct drive extruders, and consistent cooling, ensure accurate extrusion and layer bonding. Advanced formulations provide variable stiffness, softness, or transparency. Viscoelastic materials expand applications in consumer products, medical devices, and automotive components.
Viscosity Control Viscosity control adjusts the flow behavior of resins, inks, or composite materials, ensuring consistent extrusion, layer bonding, and dimensional accuracy. It influences print speed, resolution, and surface finish. Advanced viscosity control systems use temperature regulation, additives, or shear rate adjustments for precise flow dynamics. Proper viscosity management reduces under-extrusion, over-extrusion, and artifacts like blobs or stringing. It enhances print quality, mechanical properties, and optical clarity. Viscosity control expands multi-material integration, complex geometries, and high-resolution applications.
Viscosity Modifiers Viscosity modifiers are additives used to adjust the flow behavior of resins, inks, or composite materials, enhancing extrusion consistency, layer bonding, and dimensional accuracy. They influence print speed, resolution, and surface finish. Proper viscosity control reduces under-extrusion, over-extrusion, and artifacts like blobs or stringing. Advanced formulations provide tailored viscosity for flexible, transparent, or high-strength prints. Viscosity modifiers enhance print quality, mechanical properties, and optical clarity, supporting multi-material integration, complex geometries, and high-resolution applications.
Viscous Resin Viscous resin is a thick, high-viscosity photopolymer used in SLA and DLP 3D printing for enhanced layer adhesion, impact resistance, and mechanical properties. It provides excellent toughness, elongation, and chemical resistance. Viscous resins require optimized exposure settings, peeling mechanisms, and resin agitation to prevent layer separation or curing defects. Proper heating, mixing, and degassing ensure consistent flow and polymerization. Advanced formulations offer flexibility, transparency, or biocompatibility. Viscous resin expands applications in engineering, dental models, and functional prototypes requiring high strength and durability.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Management VOCs management involves controlling emissions of volatile organic compounds from 3D printing materials, ensuring safe air quality and environmental compliance. It includes using low-VOC materials, enclosed chambers, and air filtration systems with activated carbon filters. Advanced systems feature real-time VOC monitoring, ventilation controls, and purification modules. Proper safety measures, including ventilation, protective equipment, and waste disposal, ensure user health and environmental safety. VOCs management enhances air quality, compliance, and sustainability, supporting resin-based printing, high-temperature filaments, and industrial applications.
Volumetric Color Printing Volumetric color printing enables full-color 3D printing by varying material composition, density, or pigmentation within a voxel. It provides smooth gradients, intricate patterns, and realistic textures. Advanced printers use multi-material nozzles, inkjet heads, or voxel-based color mapping for precise color transitions. Proper color calibration, mixing ratios, and slicing algorithms ensure accurate color reproduction and sharp details. Volumetric color printing enhances aesthetics, realism, and customization, expanding applications in product design, architecture, and educational models.
Volumetric Extrusion Volumetric extrusion controls the amount of material extruded based on volume rather than length, enhancing flow consistency, layer bonding, and dimensional accuracy. It compensates for changes in print speed, layer height, and nozzle diameter. Advanced slicing software calculates volumetric flow rates for optimized toolpaths and consistent extrusion. Proper configuration reduces under-extrusion, over-extrusion, and artifacts like blobs or stringing. Volumetric extrusion supports complex geometries, variable layer heights, and multi-material prints, ensuring high-resolution, reliable, and high-quality prints.
Volumetric Flow Calibration Volumetric flow calibration adjusts the amount of filament extruded based on volume, ensuring consistent layer bonding, dimensional accuracy, and mechanical properties. It compensates for changes in print speed, layer height, and nozzle diameter. Advanced slicing software calculates volumetric flow rates for optimized toolpaths and precise extrusion. Proper calibration reduces under-extrusion, over-extrusion, and defects like blobs or stringing. Volumetric flow calibration enhances print reliability, consistency, and quality, supporting complex geometries, variable layer heights, and high-resolution prints.
Voxel Modeling Voxel modeling represents 3D objects using a grid of volumetric pixels (voxels), providing high-resolution spatial accuracy and complex internal structures. It is commonly used in medical imaging, digital sculpting, and additive manufacturing. Voxel modeling enables intricate lattice structures, organic shapes, and porous geometries for lightweight and functional designs. Advanced software provides voxel editing, slicing, and toolpath generation for accurate layer bonding and dimensional precision. Voxel modeling supports multi-material integration, variable density, and complex infill patterns, expanding applications in aerospace, medical devices, and artistic creations.
Voxel Resolution Voxel resolution refers to the smallest 3D unit of a digital model or printed layer, defining spatial accuracy, surface detail, and dimensional precision. It is commonly used in voxel-based 3D printing technologies like DLP, MSLA, and binder jetting. Higher voxel resolution provides finer details, smoother surfaces, and sharp edges. Proper slicing algorithms, light exposure settings, and motion control ensure accurate voxel curing and layer bonding. Voxel resolution enhances print quality, aesthetics, and functionality. It supports complex geometries, organic shapes, and high-detail models for artistic, dental, and engineering applications.
Voxel-Based Slicing Voxel-based slicing converts 3D models into volumetric pixels (voxels) for precise toolpath generation, enhancing resolution, accuracy, and complex internal structures. It enables intricate lattice designs, organic shapes, and multi-material integration. Advanced slicing software supports voxel manipulation, density control, and color mapping for detailed textures and gradients. Proper voxel resolution, layer height, and exposure settings ensure accurate layer bonding and smooth surfaces. Voxel-based slicing enhances print quality, aesthetics, and functionality, supporting artistic models, dental applications, and functional prototypes.