%20203x100.webp)
E-coat
Electrophoretic coating; a uniform paint deposition process often used as a corrosion-resistant primer on metal parts.
Rapid Prototyping Glossary
E
Definitions for commercial rapid prototyping, production, machining, casting, moulding, finishing and inspection terms.
EBM
Electron beam melting; a powder-bed metal additive process using an electron beam under vacuum.
ECM
Abbreviation for electrochemical machining.
Edge break
A light chamfer or radius added to remove a sharp edge.
Edge gate
A gate positioned on the edge of a moulded part.
EDM
Electrical discharge machining; material removal by controlled electrical sparks, used for hard materials and sharp internal features.
EDM texture
A surface texture produced by electrical discharge machining, commonly used to create matte mould finishes in the VDI 3400 system.
Ejector pin
A mould pin that pushes the cooled part out during ejection.
Elastomer
A polymer that can undergo significant elastic deformation and return towards its original shape.
Electrical discharge machining
The full term for EDM.
Electrochemical machining
A non-contact machining process that removes conductive material by controlled anodic dissolution; abbreviated ECM.
Electrochemical polishing
A controlled anodic process, commonly called electropolishing, used to smooth and brighten metal surfaces.
Electroforming
Building a metal shell by electrodepositing metal on to a mandrel or master.
Electroless nickel
A chemically deposited nickel-phosphorus coating applied without external current, valued for even coverage and good corrosion resistance.
Electroless nickel plating
A chemical deposition process that coats parts with nickel uniformly, including complex internal features.
Electroplating
Depositing a metallic coating on a part using electrical current.
Electropolishing
An electrochemical finishing process that smooths and brightens metal while reducing micro-burrs.
Elongation at break
The amount a material can stretch before it fractures.
End mill
A rotary cutting tool used for milling profiles, pockets, slots and surfaces.
End-use part
A part intended for service in the final product rather than only for development testing.
Energy density
In additive manufacture, the amount of energy applied per unit area or volume, affecting fusion and density.
Engine lathe
A general-purpose manual lathe used for turning, boring, facing, threading and related operations.
Engineering change order
ECO; a formal document used to control approved changes to a design or process.
Engineering drawing
The controlled drawing that communicates dimensions, tolerances, finishes, notes and inspection requirements.
Engineering model
A prototype built mainly to prove technical function rather than final appearance.
Engineering resin
A performance photopolymer intended to provide higher heat resistance, toughness, stiffness or dimensional stability than a standard resin.
Etching
Material removal by chemical action to clean, texture or mark a surface.
Evaporative smoothing
A broad term for solvent-vapour smoothing of printed polymer parts.
Extrusion
A continuous process in which material is forced through a die to create a constant cross-section.
Extrusion blow moulding
A process that inflates a hot tubular parison inside a mould to create hollow plastic parts.