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Concept List

Concepts for the Introduction to 3D Printing intelligent textbook. Each concept is numbered (1–N); the number is its ConceptID in learning-graph.csv. Labels are Title Case, ≤32 characters, and are entity names (not questions).

Review and edit this list before proceeding to dependency generation. Adding or removing concepts later requires regenerating the graph.

Foundation Prerequisites (assumed prior knowledge)

  1. Algebra Basics
  2. Geometry Basics
  3. Units And Measurement
  4. Computer File Management
  5. Mouse And 3D Navigation
  6. Basic Physics Concepts
  7. Mass And Density
  8. Force And Pressure

History And Context

  1. Industrial Revolution
  2. Subtractive Manufacturing
  3. Additive Manufacturing
  4. Stereolithography Invention
  5. FDM Patent Expiration
  6. Desktop Printer Revolution
  7. RepRap Project
  8. America Makes Institute
  9. AM Innovation Institutes
  10. Maker Movement

Standards And Terminology

  1. ISO Standards Body
  2. ASTM International
  3. ISO ASTM 52900 Standard
  4. AM Process Categories
  5. AM Vocabulary Glossary
  6. Layer-By-Layer Principle
  7. Build Volume
  8. Build Plate
  9. Z Axis Direction
  10. Anisotropy

Seven AM Process Categories

  1. Material Extrusion
  2. Vat Photopolymerization
  3. Powder Bed Fusion
  4. Material Jetting
  5. Binder Jetting
  6. Directed Energy Deposition
  7. Sheet Lamination
  8. FDM FFF Process
  9. SLA Process
  10. MSLA Process
  11. DLP Process
  12. SLS Process
  13. MJF Process
  14. DMLS Process
  15. EBM Process

Engineering Design Process

  1. PLTW Design Process
  2. Problem Definition
  3. Research Phase
  4. Ideation And Sketching
  5. Design Specifications
  6. Concept Selection
  7. Prototyping
  8. Iteration Cycle
  9. Testing And Validation
  10. Engineering Communication
  11. Engineering Notebook
  12. Portfolio Development

CAD Foundations

  1. CAD Software Overview
  2. 2D Sketching
  3. Sketch Constraints
  4. Parametric Modeling
  5. Feature-Based Modeling
  6. Extrude Feature
  7. Revolve Feature
  8. Sweep And Loft
  9. Fillet And Chamfer
  10. Shell Feature
  11. Pattern Features
  12. Boolean Operations
  13. Reference Geometry
  14. Assemblies
  15. Mate Constraints
  16. Onshape Workflow
  17. Fusion 360 Workflow
  18. FreeCAD Workflow

Mesh And File Formats

  1. STL File Format
  2. 3MF File Format
  3. OBJ File Format
  4. Mesh Geometry
  5. Triangle Resolution
  6. Mesh Repair
  7. Manifold Geometry
  8. Non Manifold Errors
  9. STL Export Settings

Slicing And Toolpaths

  1. Slicer Software
  2. G-code Basics
  3. G-code Reading
  4. Layer Height
  5. First Layer Settings
  6. Wall Count
  7. Infill Density
  8. Infill Patterns
  9. Print Speed
  10. Travel Moves
  11. Retraction Settings
  12. Print Temperature
  13. Bed Temperature
  14. Cooling Fan Settings
  15. Adhesion Type
  16. Skirt Brim Raft
  17. Support Structures
  18. Tree Supports
  19. Support Interface
  20. Slicer Profiles

FDM Printer Hardware

  1. FDM Printer Anatomy
  2. Nozzle
  3. Hotend
  4. Heat Break
  5. Bowden Vs Direct Drive
  6. Extruder Mechanism
  7. Stepper Motors
  8. Belts And Pulleys
  9. Lead Screws
  10. Linear Bearings
  11. Motherboard Firmware
  12. Build Surface Types
  13. Auto Bed Leveling
  14. Manual Bed Leveling
  15. Z Offset Calibration
  16. Filament Loading
  17. Nozzle Change
  18. Routine Maintenance

Materials Science For AM

  1. Polymer Basics
  2. Thermoplastics
  3. Glass Transition Temperature
  4. Tensile Strength
  5. Elongation At Break
  6. Material Data Sheet
  7. PLA Filament
  8. PETG Filament
  9. ABS Filament
  10. ASA Filament
  11. TPU Filament
  12. Nylon Filament
  13. Polycarbonate Filament
  14. Composite Filaments
  15. Filament Storage And Drying
  16. Photopolymer Resins
  17. Standard Resin
  18. Tough And Flexible Resins
  19. Engineering Resins
  20. Bio-Based Filaments
  21. Recycled Filaments

Resin Printer Operation

  1. Resin Printer Anatomy
  2. LCD And Light Source
  3. Resin Vat And FEP
  4. Exposure Settings
  5. Resin Supports
  6. Wash And Cure Workflow
  7. IPA Handling
  8. Resin PPE

Industrial AM (Conceptual)

  1. Industrial Vs Hobby Systems
  2. Production AM Workflow
  3. Metal AM Overview
  4. Build Chamber Atmosphere
  5. Post-Build Heat Treatment

Design For Additive Manufacturing

  1. DfAM Principles
  2. Overhangs
  3. Bridging
  4. Part Orientation Strategy
  5. Support Minimization
  6. Wall Thickness Rules
  7. Hole And Slot Tolerances
  8. Tolerance Allowances
  9. Self-Supporting Angles
  10. Lattice Structures
  11. Topology Optimization
  12. Generative Design
  13. Lightweighting

Metrology And Quality

  1. Dimensional Accuracy
  2. Calipers
  3. Micrometers
  4. GD&T Basics
  5. Calibration Cube
  6. Quality Control Procedures
  7. Repeatability And Reproducibility
  1. Troubleshooting Workflow
  2. Warping
  3. First-Layer Failures
  4. Stringing
  5. Under-Extrusion
  6. Over-Extrusion
  7. Layer Separation
  8. Elephants Foot
  9. Ringing And Ghosting
  10. Clogged Nozzle
  11. Failed Adhesion
  12. Resin Print Failures

Post-Processing

  1. Support Removal
  2. Sanding And Finishing
  3. Painting And Priming
  4. Annealing
  5. Chemical Smoothing
  6. UV Post-Curing
  7. Joining Printed Parts

Safety, Ethics, And Sustainability

  1. Workshop Safety
  2. VOC And UFP Exposure
  3. Ventilation Requirements
  4. Fire Safety
  5. Resin Disposal
  6. Filament Recycling
  7. Sustainability In AM
  8. Intellectual Property
  9. Open-Source Licenses
  10. Creative Commons For 3D
  11. Ethical Use Of AM
  12. Restricted Designs

Digital Manufacturing Workflows

  1. File Naming Conventions
  2. Version Control For CAD
  3. Print Farm Concepts
  4. Print Queue Management
  5. AI-Assisted CAD
  6. Cloud Slicing

Careers And Articulation

  1. Manufacturing Career Clusters
  2. SME Education Foundation
  3. NC3 Certifications
  4. NIMS Certifications
  5. Community College Pathways
  6. Dual Credit Programs
  7. ABET Outcomes Alignment
  8. Apprenticeship Pathways

Capstone And Synthesis

  1. Capstone Project Planning
  2. Functional Prototype Design
  3. Design Documentation
  4. Technical Presentation

Modern Sub-$5K Printer Developments (Last 10 Years)

Multi-Material And Multi-Color

  1. Multi-Material Printing
  2. Multi-Color Printing
  3. AMS Material System
  4. Prusa MMU Unit
  5. IDEX Dual Extrusion
  6. Toolchanger Printers
  7. Filament Splicing
  8. Multi-Material Waste

Motion Systems And Speed

  1. CoreXY Motion System
  2. Bed Slinger Design
  3. Klipper Firmware
  4. Input Shaping
  5. Pressure Advance
  6. High-Speed Printing
  7. Linear Rails

Modern Hotends And Nozzles

  1. All-Metal Hotend
  2. High-Flow Hotend
  3. Hardened Nozzle

Bed Surfaces And Probes

  1. PEI Flex Plate
  2. Spring Steel Sheet
  3. BLTouch Sensor
  4. Inductive Probe
  5. Strain Gauge Leveling

Modern Resin Hardware

  1. Mono LCD Resolution
  2. Large-Format Resin

Modern Slicers

  1. PrusaSlicer
  2. OrcaSlicer
  3. Bambu Studio
  4. Cura Slicer
  5. Variable Layer Height
  6. Adaptive Layer Height

Connectivity And Monitoring

  1. Wi-Fi Connected Printer
  2. Print Camera Monitoring
  3. AI Failure Detection
  4. OctoPrint Server
  5. Mainsail Web Interface

Enclosures

  1. Heated Chamber
  2. Enclosed Printer

Notable Modern Printer Ecosystems

  1. Bambu Lab Printers
  2. Prusa Printers
  3. Creality Printers
  4. Elegoo Printers

Modern Composite Filaments

  1. Carbon Fiber Filament
  2. Wood Fill Filament
  3. Metal Fill Filament

Specialized Print Modes

  1. Vase Mode
  2. Fuzzy Skin

AI And Machine Learning In Additive Manufacturing

AI Foundations

  1. AI In Additive Manufacturing
  2. Computer Vision Basics
  3. Machine Learning Basics
  4. Neural Networks Overview

Vision-Based Print Monitoring

  1. First-Layer Vision Check
  2. Spaghetti Detection
  3. Obico Open Monitoring
  4. Bambu Lab AI Inspection
  5. Time-Lapse Print Capture
  6. Defect Classification Models
  7. Automatic Print Pause

ML-Driven Process Optimization

  1. Predictive Maintenance ML
  2. AI Slicer Optimization

Generative AI For Design And Materials

  1. Text-To-CAD Generation
  2. AI Material Recommender

AI-Powered Learning And Support

  1. AI Troubleshooting Assistant
  2. LLM Tutoring For Students

AI Infrastructure And Risks

  1. Synthetic Training Data
  2. Edge AI On Printers
  3. AI Ethics In Manufacturing
  4. AI Hallucination Risks

Additional Printer Ecosystems

  1. Snapmaker Printers