

Rapid prototyping (RP)

Any process used to quickly develop and manufacture prototypes; 3D printing/AM is considered an RP process.

Recoater blade

In 3D metal-printing machines using the powder bed fusion and binder jet processes, the recoater blade is a horizontal bar that spreads and smooths the powder in uniformly flat layers prior to each melt-and-solidify iteration.

Residual stress

The stress that remains in a part, in the absence of any external force. Residual stresses in 3D printed parts, which can cause distortion, result from uneven solidification, thermal gradients and chemical reactions during the build process.


The length of the smallest feature size that can be developed in a 3D printed part.

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