What component of a 3D printer serves a similar function to a printhead?

The extruder in a 3D printer serves a function similar to that of a printhead in traditional inkjet printers. It is responsible for feeding and depositing the printing material—usually thermoplastic filament—onto the build surface to create the desired object layer by layer. The extruder heats the filament until it reaches a molten state, allowing it to be precisely extruded through a nozzle in controlled amounts.

In the context of 3D printing, the extruder's operation is crucial because it determines the flow rate and temperature of the material, which directly affects the quality and precision of the prints. This is comparable to how a printhead in an inkjet printer moves laterally while spraying tiny droplets of ink onto paper to form an image.

Other components have distinct roles that do not parallel the function of the printhead. The build surface provides a stable area where the object can adhere during the printing process, while the print bed can be adjusted for leveling and adhesion of the first layers. The tractor-feed is commonly associated with older printers and deals with the movement of the paper through the printer rather than the deposition of print material.