Formfactories Essential Terms

Files and Organization

Projects

A projectA collection of parts, quantities, materials, job files, client information, and pricing (if applicable). serves as the central container for everything related to production. It includes modelsA digital representation of the physical object that will be created (STL, STP, etc.)., their propertiesAnything about a model that isn't the technology or material (layer height, infill, post processing, etc.)., required quantities, and pricingThe calculated or assigned cost for producing parts within a project. (when applicable). It also stores customerAny non-staff user of the platform. These are the people your factory serves. Also called 'clients'. information, associated paperwork, job filesA file that gets sent to a machine to make a model (like a .3MF, .gcode, etc.).Learn more →, and more.

Note

A single projectA collection of parts, quantities, materials, job files, client information, and pricing (if applicable). can be known by many names depending on its stage or the team involved. Before production, it might be called a quoteAn early version of a project shared with a client before production begins. It typically outlines estimated pricing, materials, and timelines.. Once it enters production, it’s often referred to as an orderA project that has entered production. Often used by operations or manufacturing teams to indicate work is underway.. After completion, the accounting team might treat it as an invoiceThe final stage of a project from the accounting team’s perspective, typically generated once the work is complete and payment is due.. But through every stage, it remains the same underlying project.

Models

ModelsA digital representation of the physical object that will be created (STL, STP, etc.). are digital representations of the physical objects to be created — typically files like STL or STP. You can drag and drop models into a project to begin configuring them for production.

Job Files

Finally, job filesA file that gets sent to a machine to make a model (like a .3MF, .gcode, etc.).Learn more → are the files that get sent to machines to fabricate the models (.3MF, .gcode, etc.). Each job file is associated with specific model(s) and quantities, and and can link to models in other projects (batch prints).

Example:

├ Projects (LNA-86750)
  ├ Models (Boat.stl)
    ├ Job Files (Boat.3mf)

Materials and Capabilities

Technologies

TechnologiesThe process used by a machine (FDM, SLA, laser cutting, etc.) to create models. are the types of machines or processes used in production, like FDM, SLA, or CNC.

Materials

Each technology can have multiple materialsThe physical material used to create a model (PLA, ABS, resin, etc.). associated with it, such as PLA, ABS, or Aluminum.

Properties

Materials can have various propertiesAnything about a model that isn't the technology or material (layer height, infill, post processing, etc.)., like infill, layer height, nozzle size, finishing options, etc. These can be fully customized for each technology and material combination.

Example:

├ Technology (FDM)
  ├ Material (ASA)
    ├ Property (Infill: 20%)

Staff and Customers

Staff Members

Staff membersAny user with staff permissions in the platform (set in the Staff and Teams section of Settings). These are the people who manage the factory and its operations. are users with staff permissions in the platform (set in the Staff and Teams section of Settings). These are the people who manage the factory and its operations.

Customers

CustomersAny non-staff user of the platform. These are the people your factory serves. Also called 'clients'. are non-staff users of the platform. These are the people your factory serves. If you're producing parts for a team, then these might be your coworkers, or your students, but they are still customers in the context of Formfactories.

Note

Staff members and customers are using the same platform. The URL for a project, as an example, can be shared with anyone, but it will look different to a customer than it does to a staff member.