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

Glossary of 3D Printing Terms [34]

J Jamming (Filament Blockage in Extruder) Filament jamming occurs when material gets stuck inside the extruder, hot end, or nozzle, preventing proper extrusion. This can be caused by low-quality filament, incorrect temperatures, dirty nozzles, or heat creep issues. Common fixes include performing a cold pull, cleaning the nozzle with a needle, or adjusting extrusion settings. Preventing jams involves using high-quality filament, maintaining the hot end, and ensuring proper cooling around the heat break.
Jamming Prevention and Hot End Maintenance Filament jamming is one of the most common issues in FDM 3D printing, occurring when filament becomes blocked inside the extruder or hot end, preventing smooth extrusion. Jams can result from multiple factors, including incorrect nozzle temperatures, degraded filament, heat creep, improper retraction settings, or dirty components. To prevent jamming, it is essential to use high-quality, dry filament, as moisture-absorbed material can cause bubbling, inconsistent flow, and clogs. Regular maintenance, such as cold pulls (also called atomic pulls), helps clear residual plastic from the hot end, ensuring smooth operation. Additionally, PTFE-lined hot ends should not exceed 240°C, as excessive heat degrades the tubing, causing friction and extrusion failures. Upgrading to an all-metal hot end allows for higher temperature printing and reduced filament degradation inside the heat break. Another key factor is ensuring the extruder gears are properly tensioned, as too much pressure can grind filament, while too little can cause inconsistent feeding. Proactive maintenance and correct print settings significantly increase hot end longevity and minimize print failures due to filament jams.
Jerk Control and Acceleration Tuning in 3D Printing Jerk control in 3D printing defines the instantaneous speed change a printer can handle when shifting directions, impacting both print quality and motion efficiency. A high jerk value allows for faster direction changes, increasing print speed but also introducing ringing, layer misalignment, or skipped steps if the frame or belts cannot handle the sudden shifts. Lower jerk values create smoother transitions, reducing vibrations and ghosting (ripples along print edges) but may slow down prints significantly. Acceleration tuning works alongside jerk control by gradually increasing speed rather than applying sudden motion changes, leading to better consistency in layer alignment. Fine-tuning these parameters is crucial for balancing speed, accuracy, and machine longevity, as aggressive jerk settings can wear out stepper motors and belts prematurely. Users often experiment with values through G-code adjustments or firmware settings to optimize motion for their specific printer type. Advanced systems like Klipper firmware allow for dynamic jerk and acceleration adjustments, improving print quality while maintaining efficiency. A well-calibrated jerk and acceleration setup ensures precise movement, minimal overshoot, and enhanced durability of moving components.
Jerk Control in 3D Printing Jerk control is a motion setting in 3D printers that determines the speed at which the printer changes direction. When printing complex shapes, high jerk values can cause vibrations, ringing (ghosting), or layer misalignment, while low jerk values smooth transitions but may slow down prints. Fine-tuning jerk settings is essential for balancing speed and print quality, especially for detailed models and high-speed printers. Advanced firmware like Marlin and Klipper allows for dynamic jerk adjustments, ensuring better surface finishes and smoother extrusion.
Jetting Droplet Size in Material Jetting Material jetting printers control droplet size to achieve smooth gradients, high detail, and color accuracy. Smaller droplets improve resolution and surface finish, while larger droplets speed up print time. Adjustable jetting parameters allow for variable layer thickness, optimizing both efficiency and fine-detail reproduction.
Jetting in Material Jetting 3D Printing Material jetting is an additive manufacturing process where photopolymer resins are deposited in precise droplets, similar to inkjet printing, and cured with UV light. This technology allows for multi-material and full-color printing with high accuracy, making it ideal for medical models, detailed prototypes, and product design. Unlike FDM, material jetting requires post-processing to remove uncured resin.
Jetting Technology in Multi-Material 3D Printing Jetting technology, used in material jetting (MJ) and binder jetting (BJ) 3D printing, is a highly precise additive manufacturing method where materials are deposited as tiny droplets through nozzles, similar to inkjet printing, and cured layer by layer. This process enables full-color printing, high-resolution textures, and multi-material fabrication by jetting different materials simultaneously. In MJ (Material Jetting), photopolymer resins are selectively deposited and UV-cured, producing extremely smooth and detailed prints suitable for dental models, jewelry casting, and intricate prototypes. Meanwhile, in BJ (Binder Jetting), a liquid binder is sprayed onto a powdered material bed, fusing layers together to form parts made from sandstone, ceramic, or metal powders, which are later sintered for final strength. This method is widely used in architectural models, full-color figurines, and metal part production. The ability to combine rigid, flexible, and translucent materials in a single print makes jetting technology ideal for high-end prototyping and artistic applications. However, material jetting systems require post-processing, such as cleaning excess material and UV curing, to enhance mechanical properties and surface quality.
Jewelry 3D Printing and Lost-Wax Casting with SLA Resins Jewelry 3D printing has revolutionized the custom jewelry industry by enabling the creation of intricate, highly detailed designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve through traditional hand-carving methods. SLA (Stereolithography) and DLP (Digital Light Processing) printers are commonly used to produce wax-like castable resins, which burn out cleanly during the lost-wax casting process. This method allows jewelers to directly print custom ring molds, intricate filigree, and personalized engravings, significantly reducing labor costs and production time compared to traditional mold-making. Castable resins are formulated to melt away completely without residue, ensuring a perfect metal finish after casting in gold, silver, or platinum. Post-processing involves washing the print in isopropyl alcohol (IPA), curing it under UV light, and embedding it in investment material for burnout. Jewelry printing with high-resolution SLA printers, such as Formlabs or Phrozen models, allows designers to experiment with complex geometries while maintaining the accuracy needed for precise stone settings.
Jewelry 3D Printing with Resin Printers Resin-based SLA and DLP printers are widely used for creating intricate jewelry designs due to their high resolution and smooth surface finishes. Jewelers use castable resins, which burn out cleanly during investment casting, allowing them to create wax-like molds for gold, silver, or platinum casting. The ability to print complex patterns, filigree, and tiny details has revolutionized the custom jewelry industry.
Jig Alignment in Multi-Material Prints Multi-material 3D prints require precise alignment jigs to ensure different materials or colors fit together perfectly. Jigs help prevent layer misalignment, making it easier to print functional or aesthetic multi-component objects. They are commonly used in dual-extrusion systems or multi-step resin casting.
Jig Fabrication for Assembly Line Efficiency Jigs are custom-designed fixtures that hold, guide, or position workpieces during assembly, machining, or quality control. In manufacturing environments, 3D-printed jigs replace traditional CNC-milled aluminum or steel fixtures, offering lighter, cheaper, and faster alternatives. Automotive and aerospace companies use FDM and SLS-printed jigs to streamline production processes, reducing manual alignment errors and operator fatigue. Jigs allow manufacturers to position components consistently, speeding up mass production lines while maintaining tight tolerances. By designing ergonomic, modular, and adjustable jigs, companies improve workplace efficiency and reduce rework costs. Some jigs include embedded sensors or RFID chips, enabling automated tracking and smart manufacturing applications.
Jig Plates for Multi-Part Printing Jig plates are flat, reusable surfaces that align multiple printed parts during assembly. These are commonly used in repeatable production workflows where identical prints must be positioned precisely for post-processing.
Jig Printing for Manufacturing Jigs are custom 3D-printed fixtures used in manufacturing to hold, align, or guide workpieces during assembly or machining. Printing jigs allows for custom-fit, cost-effective, and rapid tooling, replacing traditional metal or CNC-machined jigs. Industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics manufacturing use printed jigs to increase efficiency and reduce production costs.
Jig Testing for Printed Part Fitment Before assembling multi-part models, a test jig can be printed to verify fitment, tolerances, and clearances. This prevents reprinting full-scale parts if dimensions are incorrect. Engineers use jig testing to validate mechanical assemblies before committing to large or expensive prints.
Jig-Based Bed Leveling for High Precision Some industrial 3D printers use custom jigs to calibrate the print bed with extreme accuracy. Instead of relying on software-based auto-bed leveling, physical calibration jigs ensure that the bed is uniformly adjusted. This method is common in high-end, large-format, or metal 3D printing, where even slight deviations can impact precision.
Jitter Compensation for Stepper Motors Jitter refers to tiny vibrations in stepper motors, causing surface imperfections or uneven extrusion. This can be minimized by enabling motor dampening, adjusting microstepping settings, and tuning acceleration/jerk values. Proper compensation results in smoother motion, reduced noise, and improved print consistency.
Jittering in Motion Systems Jittering refers to irregular motion or vibrations during printing, often caused by loose belts, worn stepper motors, or excessive jerk settings. Jittering can lead to poor surface quality, layer misalignment, and inconsistent extrusion. Regular maintenance, belt tensioning, and motion tuning help eliminate jittering.
Jog Dial Controls for 3D Printers Some high-end 3D printers feature jog dials (rotary encoders) instead of touchscreen or button-based interfaces. This allows for quick, tactile control of movement, temperature settings, and print adjustments. Jog dials improve usability, making real-time tuning during a print more intuitive and precise.
Jog Dial Controls for 3D Printers Some high-end 3D printers feature jog dials (rotary encoders) instead of touchscreen or button-based interfaces. This allows for quick, tactile control of movement, temperature settings, and print adjustments. Jog dials improve usability, making real-time tuning during a print more intuitive and precise.
Jog Mode in 3D Printer Controls Jog mode allows users to manually move a 3D printer’s axes (X, Y, Z, and extruder) through the printer’s interface or software. It is used for bed leveling, filament loading, and nozzle alignment. Movements are typically adjustable in small increments (0.1mm, 1mm, or 10mm) to ensure precise positioning. Proper jogging ensures that mechanical components move smoothly, preventing misalignment and improving print accuracy.
Jogging (Manual Printer Movement) Jogging refers to manually moving a 3D printer’s axes (X, Y, Z, and extruder) using software controls or printer menus. It is useful for bed leveling, filament loading, and troubleshooting mechanical issues. Most firmware allows precise movement increments (0.1mm, 1mm, 10mm) to help users align nozzles, check clearances, or prepare prints. Jogging is essential for calibration and maintenance, helping users ensure their printer’s movements are smooth and accurate before starting a print.
Joining 3D-Printed Parts Large prints that exceed a printer’s build volume often require joining multiple pieces together. Common methods include gluing (super glue, epoxy, or ABS slurry), welding (plastic friction welding), mechanical fasteners (screws and inserts), and solvent bonding (acetone for ABS or limonene for HIPS). Proper joining techniques improve structural integrity, aesthetics, and functionality, making it easier to create oversized models, cosplay props, or industrial parts.
Joining Resin Prints with UV Welding When assembling large resin prints, UV-cured adhesives can be used to bond pieces seamlessly. By applying resin at the junction and exposing it to UV light, parts are fused together with a strong, nearly invisible connection. This method is ideal for miniatures, dental models, and jewelry where clean aesthetics are essential.
Joule Heating in Extruders Joule heating refers to the process of heating filament using electrical resistance within the heater cartridge or heated nozzle. The efficiency of Joule heating affects extrusion consistency, response time, and energy consumption. Advanced high-temperature extruders use optimized heating elements to achieve faster warm-up times and stable temperature regulation.
Joule-Thomson Effect in Cooling Systems The Joule-Thomson effect describes how certain gases cool when expanded without external heat exchange. Some liquid-cooled 3D printers leverage this principle to enhance thermal regulation, preventing heat creep and improving filament control.
Jump Start on Power Loss Recovery Some power-failure recovery systems allow printers to "jump start" from the last saved layer position if an outage occurs. Unlike standard print resumption, which may leave gaps or defects, advanced systems use firmware-based tracking to accurately recover prints without noticeable errors.
Jump-To-Layer Function in Print Recovery Some 3D printing software allows users to resume prints from a specific layer after failure. This feature is useful if a power outage or jam interrupts printing, preventing wasted material. However, layer adhesion and proper nozzle positioning must be carefully checked when using this function.
Jumping Artifacts in Travel Moves Jumping artifacts appear when the nozzle lifts too quickly between non-contiguous sections, causing extrusion inconsistencies and minor print defects. Adjusting retraction distance and travel speed minimizes these errors.
Jumping Artifacts in Travel Moves and Retraction Issues Jumping artifacts appear in 3D prints when the nozzle lifts (Z-hop) or travels between disconnected sections too aggressively, causing visible extrusion inconsistencies or surface defects. This issue is commonly seen in overhangs, multi-part assemblies, and dual-extrusion setups where precise travel moves are necessary. Improper retraction settings may result in stringing or excessive filament pullback, creating gaps or blobs upon restarting extrusion. To resolve this, users fine-tune retraction distance, travel speed, and Z-hop height, ensuring a balance between reducing nozzle drag and maintaining smooth transitions. Enabling coasting and pressure advance in slicers further improves material flow, preventing filament accumulation at layer transitions.
Jumping Between Supports (Bridging Movements) Jumping refers to the printer’s movement between non-contiguous sections of a model without retraction. This setting affects bridging and overhang quality, as excessive jumping can cause stringing or layer artifacts. Proper travel speed, retraction settings, and cooling fan adjustments help minimize defects when moving between supports and isolated print areas.
Junction Deviation for Motion Smoothing Junction deviation is an advanced motion control setting that replaces traditional jerk settings to smooth velocity transitions between movements. This results in better print accuracy, reduced vibrations, and improved high-speed printing performance.
Junction Deviation: Motion Smoothing for High-Speed Printing Junction deviation is an advanced motion planning algorithm that replaces traditional jerk control to enhance smoothness and precision during high-speed printing. Unlike standard jerk settings, which apply instantaneous speed shifts at direction changes, junction deviation introduces a mathematical curvature adjustment, allowing gradual transitions between movement vectors. This prevents abrupt deceleration, reducing vibrations, ringing, and print distortions while maintaining fast travel moves without sacrificing accuracy. By enabling smoother movements, junction deviation allows CoreXY, Delta, and Cartesian printers to operate at higher speeds without quality loss. Adjusting this parameter requires firmware modifications, typically done in Marlin, RepRap, or Klipper, where users fine-tune values to match their printer’s rigidity and motion system. High junction deviation settings increase flow consistency, prevent mechanical strain, and allow for more stable extrusion during complex geometries. For advanced users, integrating junction deviation with input shaping algorithms can further optimize prints, making it an essential tuning feature for those seeking both speed and precision in their 3D printing workflow.
Junction Heating in High-Flow Extruders High-flow extruders use optimized heating zones to ensure consistent filament melting across different print speeds. Proper junction heating prevents under-extrusion at high speeds and improves layer bonding for strong, reliable prints. This is essential for printing thick layers or high-temperature materials like polycarbonate.
Junctions in Multi-Part Prints Junctions are the connection points between multiple 3D-printed parts, requiring tight tolerances for seamless assembly. Poorly designed junctions can lead to gaps, misalignment, or weak spots. Common techniques include snap-fit, dovetail, press-fit, and threaded joints, ensuring strong mechanical connections without excessive post-processing.