Additive Manufacturing Technician
Level II Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which additive manufacturing process uses a vat of liquid photopolymer
resin that is selectively cured layer by layer?
A. Material extrusion
B. Powder bed fusion
C. Vat photopolymerization
D. Binder jetting
Answer: Vat photopolymerization
Rationale: Vat photopolymerization uses liquid photopolymer resin that is
selectively cured with light to create successive layers.
2. What is the primary function of a build platform in an additive
manufacturing machine?
A. Store unused powder
B. Support the part during fabrication
C. Cool the laser
D. Mix polymer feedstock
Answer: Support the part during fabrication
Rationale: The build platform provides the surface on which the first layer is
deposited or formed and supports the part throughout production.
, 3. Which process commonly uses a heated nozzle to deposit thermoplastic
filament?
A. SLA
B. DMLS
C. Binder jetting
D. Material extrusion
Answer: Material extrusion
Rationale: Material extrusion systems melt or soften thermoplastic feedstock
and deposit it through a nozzle according to programmed toolpaths.
4. In powder bed fusion, what is the purpose of the recoater?
A. Remove support structures
B. Heat the build chamber
C. Spread a uniform layer of powder
D. Cure polymer resin
Answer: Spread a uniform layer of powder
Rationale: The recoater distributes a controlled thickness of powder over the
build area before each fusion cycle.
5. Which parameter most directly affects the vertical resolution of a printed
component?
A. Nozzle diameter only
B. Scan speed only
C. Layer thickness
D. Powder color
Answer: Layer thickness
Rationale: Smaller layer thickness generally improves the ability to reproduce
vertical details and reduces the visible staircase effect.
, 6. What does STL traditionally represent in additive manufacturing?
A. Standard Tool Language
B. A triangulated surface representation
C. A machine-control language
D. A thermal simulation format
Answer: A triangulated surface representation
Rationale: STL represents a three-dimensional surface using triangular facets
and is widely used as an input format for slicing.
7. What is a major advantage of using an AM build orientation simulation
before production?
A. It eliminates all post-processing
B. It helps predict supports, distortion, and manufacturing risks
C. It automatically repairs every machine
D. It eliminates the need for inspection
Answer: It helps predict supports, distortion, and manufacturing risks
Rationale: Orientation strongly influences supports, thermal behavior, surface
finish, build time, and dimensional accuracy.
8. Which defect occurs when successive layers do not adequately bond to one
another?
A. Elephant foot
B. Warping
C. Delamination
D. Stringing
Answer: Delamination
Rationale: Delamination occurs when interlayer adhesion is insufficient, causing
layers to separate or form weak interfaces.
, 9. What is the purpose of support structures in many additive manufacturing
processes?
A. Increase machine voltage
B. Support overhangs and stabilize geometry
C. Reduce material strength
D. Replace the build platform
Answer: Support overhangs and stabilize geometry
Rationale: Supports provide mechanical or thermal assistance to features that
cannot otherwise be reliably fabricated.
10.Which factor generally increases the amount of support material required?
A. Reduced part complexity
B. Large unsupported overhangs
C. Increased powder recycling
D. Reduced build height
Answer: Large unsupported overhangs
Rationale: Unsupported regions beyond the process's allowable overhang angle
may require support structures to prevent collapse or distortion.
11.What is the primary purpose of slicing software?
A. Calibrate the laser physically
B. Convert a 3D model into layer-by-layer manufacturing instructions
C. Measure tensile strength
D. Clean the build chamber
Answer: Convert a 3D model into layer-by-layer manufacturing instructions
Rationale: Slicing software divides the model into layers and generates
toolpaths and process instructions for the machine.
Level II Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. Which additive manufacturing process uses a vat of liquid photopolymer
resin that is selectively cured layer by layer?
A. Material extrusion
B. Powder bed fusion
C. Vat photopolymerization
D. Binder jetting
Answer: Vat photopolymerization
Rationale: Vat photopolymerization uses liquid photopolymer resin that is
selectively cured with light to create successive layers.
2. What is the primary function of a build platform in an additive
manufacturing machine?
A. Store unused powder
B. Support the part during fabrication
C. Cool the laser
D. Mix polymer feedstock
Answer: Support the part during fabrication
Rationale: The build platform provides the surface on which the first layer is
deposited or formed and supports the part throughout production.
, 3. Which process commonly uses a heated nozzle to deposit thermoplastic
filament?
A. SLA
B. DMLS
C. Binder jetting
D. Material extrusion
Answer: Material extrusion
Rationale: Material extrusion systems melt or soften thermoplastic feedstock
and deposit it through a nozzle according to programmed toolpaths.
4. In powder bed fusion, what is the purpose of the recoater?
A. Remove support structures
B. Heat the build chamber
C. Spread a uniform layer of powder
D. Cure polymer resin
Answer: Spread a uniform layer of powder
Rationale: The recoater distributes a controlled thickness of powder over the
build area before each fusion cycle.
5. Which parameter most directly affects the vertical resolution of a printed
component?
A. Nozzle diameter only
B. Scan speed only
C. Layer thickness
D. Powder color
Answer: Layer thickness
Rationale: Smaller layer thickness generally improves the ability to reproduce
vertical details and reduces the visible staircase effect.
, 6. What does STL traditionally represent in additive manufacturing?
A. Standard Tool Language
B. A triangulated surface representation
C. A machine-control language
D. A thermal simulation format
Answer: A triangulated surface representation
Rationale: STL represents a three-dimensional surface using triangular facets
and is widely used as an input format for slicing.
7. What is a major advantage of using an AM build orientation simulation
before production?
A. It eliminates all post-processing
B. It helps predict supports, distortion, and manufacturing risks
C. It automatically repairs every machine
D. It eliminates the need for inspection
Answer: It helps predict supports, distortion, and manufacturing risks
Rationale: Orientation strongly influences supports, thermal behavior, surface
finish, build time, and dimensional accuracy.
8. Which defect occurs when successive layers do not adequately bond to one
another?
A. Elephant foot
B. Warping
C. Delamination
D. Stringing
Answer: Delamination
Rationale: Delamination occurs when interlayer adhesion is insufficient, causing
layers to separate or form weak interfaces.
, 9. What is the purpose of support structures in many additive manufacturing
processes?
A. Increase machine voltage
B. Support overhangs and stabilize geometry
C. Reduce material strength
D. Replace the build platform
Answer: Support overhangs and stabilize geometry
Rationale: Supports provide mechanical or thermal assistance to features that
cannot otherwise be reliably fabricated.
10.Which factor generally increases the amount of support material required?
A. Reduced part complexity
B. Large unsupported overhangs
C. Increased powder recycling
D. Reduced build height
Answer: Large unsupported overhangs
Rationale: Unsupported regions beyond the process's allowable overhang angle
may require support structures to prevent collapse or distortion.
11.What is the primary purpose of slicing software?
A. Calibrate the laser physically
B. Convert a 3D model into layer-by-layer manufacturing instructions
C. Measure tensile strength
D. Clean the build chamber
Answer: Convert a 3D model into layer-by-layer manufacturing instructions
Rationale: Slicing software divides the model into layers and generates
toolpaths and process instructions for the machine.
