MakerBot METHOD X 3D Printer - Manual (Page 27)

CHAPTER 7
REFERENCE
GLOSSARY
BUILD PLATFORM: The support for the build plate. The build
platform’s underside contains adjustable hex bolts for use
during assisted-leveling.
ETHERNET CABLE: The cable used to connect your MakerBot
Method to a local area network.
EXTRUDER ASSEMBLY: The swappable Performance
Extruders which contain the sensors, drive gears, hot end, and
nozzle.
EXTRUDER CARRIAGE: Holds the extruders firmly in place
on the rail of the x-y gantry while allowing for quick and easy
extruder swapping.
EXTRUDER NOZZLE: The opening on the end of the
Performance Extruder from which heated MakerBot material
emerges to be spread onto the build plate.
FIRMWARE: The software that runs on your MakerBot Method.
GANTRY: The apparatus that allows the carriage and extruder
assemblies to move along the x and y axis.
GRIP SURFACE: The surface on which the extruder prints on.
Prints adhere better to the Grip Surface resulting in reduced
warping and curling.
GUIDED SETUP: The set of tasks that runs when you turn on
the MakerBot Method for the first time. The setup assistant
helps you level the build plate, load material and start a test
print.
INTERNAL STORAGE: The part of the MakerBot Method
onboard storage that you can use to store print files.
LAYOUT: An arrangement of 3D models on the build plate.
Multiple layouts can be saved as part of any .Thing in your
Library.
LEVELING SCREWS: The two screws underneath the build
platform that allow you to pivot the build plate around its center
point during the leveling process.
.MAKERBOT: The format of print files for your MakerBot
Method Print files contain instructions for your MakerBot
Method.
MAKERBOT ACCOUNT: The username and password you will
use to sign in to MakerBot Print, and log on to Thingiverse and
other MakerBot sites.
MAKERBOT PRINT SOFTWARE: Free software for use with
your MakerBot Method. MakerBot Print will help you discover,
manage, share and print 3D models.
MATERIAL DRAWER BAYS: The two drawers located at the
base of the MakerBot Method, where both the model and
support material spools are stored during the printing process.
MATERIAL GUIDE TUBE: The plastic tube that guides the
MakerBot material from the material spool to the Performance
Extruders.
.OBJ: A file format used for 3D models.
PERFORMANCE EXTRUDER: The Performance Extruder draws
the material from the spool, melts it, and pushes it through a
nozzle onto the Spring Steel Build Plate.
PROFILE: The settings used to slice your 3D model and create a
print file. MakerBot Print Software comes with preset profiles for
Balanced and High-resolution prints.
RAFT: A plastic base printed on the build plate and used as a
printing surface for your printed object.
SLICING: The process of turning a 3D model into a print
file containing instructions for your MakerBot Method. The
MakerBot Method uses print files with the extension .makerbot.
SPRING STEEL BUILD PLATE: The flat plate on which the
MakerBot Method 3D Printer builds an object. This plate is
removable and bending the plate allows you to remove objects.
.STL: A widely used file format for 3D models.
SUPPORTS: Automatically generated support structures used
to prop up any sections of a print that will not stand alone.
.THING: A file format used by MakerBot Print that stores
additional information about your 3D model files.
THING: A file or group of files saved to Thingiverse or to your
MakerBot Cloud Library.
THINGIVERSE: An online community for sharing 3D design files.
TOUCHSCREEN: The touchscreen at the upper right corner
of the MakerBot Method. The touchscreen allows you to start
prints, change settings and view status information.
USB CABLE: A cable that allows your computer to
communicate with the MakerBot Method.
USB DRIVE: A USB flash drive. You can use a USB drive to
transfer print files to and from the MakerBot Method. Make sure
that the USB drive is formatted to FAT32. USB drives that are
formatted to NTFS will not be visible.