CAMT Software & Digital Workflow Flashcards

What file format is most commonly used to transfer 3D models to additive manufacturing slicing software?

Answer: STL

STL is the industry-standard file format for transferring 3D models to additive manufacturing slicing software due to its wide compatibility.

What is the primary function of slicing software in the additive manufacturing workflow?

Answer: Convert a 3D model into layer-by-layer machine instructions

Slicing software converts 3D CAD models into layer-by-layer toolpath instructions (G-code) that guide the additive manufacturing machine during the build.

Which file format was developed by a major industry consortium specifically to address limitations of STL, including support for color and material data?

Answer: 3MF

3MF (3D Manufacturing Format) was developed by the 3MF Consortium to overcome STL limitations by natively supporting color, multiple materials, and metadata.

What does G-code represent in the context of FDM additive manufacturing?

Answer: Step-by-step movement and process instructions for the machine

G-code is the programming language containing step-by-step movement, temperature, and extrusion instructions that control FDM and other CNC-based additive manufacturing machines.

In FDM slicing software, what does the 'infill density' parameter control?

Answer: The percentage of solid material filling the part interior

Infill density determines the percentage of the part's interior volume filled with material, directly affecting part weight, strength, and material consumption.

What is the purpose of automatically generated support structures in slicing software?

Answer: To provide temporary material beneath overhanging features during the build

Support structures provide temporary scaffolding beneath overhanging features that cannot be self-supporting during printing, and are removed during post-processing.