Infill (3D Printing)

maker

Infill in 3D printing refers to the internal structure or pattern within a printed object used to provide support and strength.

expanded

Infill is an essential component of 3D printing, affecting the mechanical properties, weight, and build time of printed parts. By varying infill density and pattern, users can optimize for lightweight structures with adequate strength or solid parts for higher stiffness. Infill percentage typically ranges from 0% (hollow) to 100% (solid), impacting both material usage and print time.

examples

A 3D printed drone frame using 20% infill with a hexagonal pattern for balance between weight and strength.

Commonly used in lightweight aerospace applications where structural integrity must be maintained whilst minimizing weight.

A mechanical prototype gear printed with 50% grid infill for enhanced durability under stress.

Utilized in functional prototyping where test parts must withstand mechanical forces during trial runs.

related terms

3D printing

The process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file by layering material.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is an additive manufacturing process that builds objects layer by layer using a continuous filament of thermoplastic material.

Slicing (3D Printing)

The process of converting a 3D model into instructions for a 3D printer.

Build Plate (3D Printing)

The surface or platform on which a 3D printed object is constructed.

Hot-End (3D Printing)

The hot-end is the component of a 3D printer that melts and extrudes thermoplastic filaments to create printed objects.