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Glossary of Common Terms

This glossary explains common 3D printing and My-Cloner terms used throughout the documentation.

3D Printing Terms

Bed / Heatbed

The heated build platform where the printed part is created.

On the My-Cloner, the heatbed supports the removable spring steel print sheet.

Bed Mesh

A measured map of the print surface created by probing multiple points across the bed.

Klipper can use this mesh to compensate for small variations in the bed surface during printing.

Brim

An additional single-layer area printed around the base of a model.

A brim can improve bed adhesion and help reduce warping.

Extruder

The mechanism that feeds filament toward the hotend.

The My-Cloner uses a direct-drive extruder.

Filament

The thermoplastic material used by the printer.

The My-Cloner uses 1.75 mm filament.

Common materials include:

  • PLA
  • PETG
  • ABS
  • ASA

First Layer

The first printed layer of a model.

A correct first layer is critical for:

  • Bed adhesion
  • Dimensional stability
  • Print reliability

The first layer is strongly affected by the Z offset, bed mesh and print surface condition.

G-code

The machine instruction format used by 3D printers.

The slicer converts a 3D model into G-code containing movement, temperature, extrusion and other printer commands.

Hotend

The assembly responsible for heating and melting filament.

It typically includes:

  • Heatsink
  • Heatbreak
  • Heater block
  • Heater cartridge
  • Thermistor
  • Nozzle

The My-Cloner Rev A uses a V6-style hotend.

Layer Height

The vertical thickness of each printed layer.

Smaller layer heights generally provide finer detail, while larger layer heights can reduce print time.

Nozzle

The final part of the hotend through which molten filament is extruded.

The standard My-Cloner nozzle size is:

0.4 mm

Overhang

A part of a model that extends outward without material directly underneath it.

Large overhangs may require cooling, slower print settings or support material.

Retraction

The controlled backward movement of filament used to reduce nozzle pressure during travel moves.

Retraction can help reduce stringing.

Slicer

Software that converts a 3D model into G-code for the printer.

The recommended slicer for the My-Cloner is:

OrcaSlicer

STL

A common file format used for 3D models.

STL files describe model geometry but do not contain printer settings.

Stringing

Thin strands of filament that form between separate areas of a print.

Stringing is commonly influenced by:

  • Temperature
  • Retraction
  • Travel settings
  • Filament condition

Support

Additional printed structures used to support parts of a model that cannot be printed directly in open air.

Supports are removed after printing.

Warping

A print defect where part of the model lifts away from the print surface.

Warping can be influenced by:

  • Bed adhesion
  • Bed temperature
  • Material shrinkage
  • Ambient temperature
  • Cooling

My-Cloner and Klipper Terms

Endstop

A mechanism used by firmware to detect a reference or limit position of an axis.

On the My-Cloner Rev A, X and Y do not use physical endstop switches. Their endstop function is provided by the TMC2209 sensorless-homing system using StallGuard / DIAG signals.

Firmware

Software responsible for controlling the printer hardware.

The My-Cloner uses Klipper.

Host

The computer running the main Klipper software.

On the My-Cloner Rev A, the host is the:

Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

Homing

The process of establishing a known reference position for the printer axes.

On the My-Cloner Rev A:

  • X uses TMC2209 sensorless homing.
  • Y uses TMC2209 sensorless homing.
  • Z uses the P.I.N.D.A. probe for its reference.

Klipper

The firmware used by the My-Cloner.

Klipper divides printer control between:

  • A host computer
  • A printer mainboard acting as an MCU

This architecture allows advanced motion control, configuration and calibration features.

Mainsail

The primary web interface used to control the My-Cloner.

Mainsail provides access to:

  • Printer status
  • Movement controls
  • Temperature controls
  • G-code files
  • Calibration commands
  • Klipper console
  • Print monitoring

MCU

Microcontroller Unit

In the My-Cloner Klipper architecture, the MCU is the printer mainboard:

MKS Robin Nano V3

The MCU handles real-time control of the printer hardware based on commands from the Klipper host.

P.I.N.D.A.

The inductive probe used by the My-Cloner to detect the print bed.

It is used for functions including:

  • Z homing
  • Z-offset calibration
  • Bed mesh measurement

Probe

A sensor used to detect the print bed without direct nozzle contact.

The My-Cloner Rev A uses a P.I.N.D.A. probe.

Raspberry Pi

A small single-board computer.

The My-Cloner uses a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W as the Klipper host.

Z Offset

The calibrated vertical distance between the probe trigger position and the nozzle.

The Z offset determines the nozzle height relative to the print surface.

Correct Z-offset calibration is essential for a good first layer.

Hardware Terms

Heatbed

The electrically heated build platform.

The My-Cloner Rev A uses a:

235 × 235 mm, 24 V, 220 W Ender 3-type heatbed

LM2596

A DC-DC step-down converter used in the My-Cloner electrical system.

It converts:

24 V DC → 5 V DC

The 5 V output is used to power the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W.

Mainboard

The main electronics controller of the printer.

The My-Cloner Rev A uses:

MKS Robin Nano V3

NEMA 17

A commonly used stepper motor frame size in 3D printers.

The My-Cloner uses NEMA 17 motors for its motion and extrusion systems.

PEI

Polyetherimide

A material commonly used as a 3D printing surface.

The My-Cloner uses a removable spring steel sheet with a smooth PEI surface.

PSU

Power Supply Unit

The PSU converts mains AC voltage into the DC voltage used by the printer.

The My-Cloner Rev A uses:

Mean Well LRS-350-24

Spring Steel Sheet

A removable flexible print surface.

After the print cools, the sheet can be removed and flexed to help release the printed part.

The My-Cloner uses a smooth PEI-coated spring steel sheet.

Stepper Motor

A motor that moves in controlled increments.

Stepper motors are used by the My-Cloner for:

  • X-axis movement
  • Y-axis movement
  • Z-axis movement
  • Filament extrusion

Thermistor

A temperature-sensitive electrical component used to measure temperature.

The My-Cloner uses thermistors to monitor the hotend and heated bed.

Calibration Terms

Bed Mesh Calibration

The process of measuring multiple points across the print surface using the Z probe.

In Klipper, this can be started using:

BED_MESH_CALIBRATE

PID Tuning

A calibration process used to improve temperature stability.

PID tuning can be performed for:

  • Hotend
  • Heated bed

Probe Calibration

The process used to determine the correct relationship between the Z probe and nozzle.

In Klipper, this can be started using:

PROBE_CALIBRATE

SAVE_CONFIG

A Klipper command used to save supported calibration results to the printer configuration.

After certain calibration procedures, run:

SAVE_CONFIG

Software Terms

OrcaSlicer

The recommended slicing software for the My-Cloner.

OrcaSlicer converts 3D models into G-code using the configured My-Cloner machine and print profiles.

Printer Profile

A slicer configuration containing machine-specific information such as:

  • Build volume
  • Nozzle size
  • Machine limits
  • G-code configuration
  • Printer capabilities

Use the official MyMachines My-Cloner profile whenever available.

A slicer configuration containing settings related to print quality and behaviour.

Examples include:

  • Layer height
  • Speed
  • Acceleration
  • Retraction
  • Infill
  • Supports

Filament Profile

A slicer configuration containing material-specific settings.

Examples include:

  • Nozzle temperature
  • Bed temperature
  • Cooling
  • Flow
  • Maximum volumetric speed

Different filament materials should use appropriate filament profiles.