Practice Test Geeks3D Product Practice Test
← All 3D Product Flashcard Decks

3D Printing Technologies Flashcards

6 cards from real 3D Product practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 6 3D Printing Technologies flashcards as text

  1. What is 'design for additive manufacturing' (DFAM)?

    Answer: Engineering practice of designing parts to take full advantage of 3D printing capabilities and minimize its limitations

    DFAM involves designing parts specifically to exploit additive manufacturing strengths — like internal lattices, consolidated assemblies, and complex geometries — while avoiding print limitations.

  2. What is 'topology optimization' in product design?

    Answer: A computational method that removes material from non-load-bearing areas to create lightweight, structurally efficient parts

    Topology optimization uses finite element analysis to redistribute material only where structural loads require it, producing organic, lightweight structures ideal for 3D printing.

  3. What is a 'stringing' defect in FDM 3D printing?

    Answer: Thin strands of filament left between separated parts of a model when the nozzle travels without extruding

    Stringing occurs when molten filament oozes from the nozzle during travel moves, leaving thin web-like strands — fixed by tuning retraction distance, speed, and temperature.

  4. What post-processing step smooths the surface of FDM-printed ABS parts?

    Answer: Acetone vapor smoothing

    For ABS, acetone vapor partially dissolves the surface layer, allowing it to reflow and significantly reduce the visibility of layer lines without manual sanding.

  5. What is 'multi-material 3D printing' used for in product design?

    Answer: Printing parts with two or more materials simultaneously for features like rigid structures with flexible grips or dissolvable supports

    Multi-material printing enables functional combinations like overmolded grips, dissolvable support interfaces, or color-differentiated product mockups in a single print job.

  6. What is 'print resolution' and what are typical X/Y values for desktop FDM printers?

    Answer: The minimum feature size the printer can reproduce; typically 0.1 to 0.4mm in X/Y on desktop FDM printers

    Print resolution defines the smallest reproducible feature; desktop FDM X/Y resolution is limited by nozzle diameter (typically 0.4mm), while Z resolution is set by layer height.