> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary.md).

# Hardware Glossary

Links to various hardware of the printer and what they do.

**The extruder is what pushes and pulls the filament through the hot nozzle. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MR2gPG62GPlZdpItZDU" %}
[Extruder](/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary/extruder.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**The hotend is the hardware that generates heat to melt the plastic filament and output it through the nozzle which has a fixed diameter. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MRIt2ENGd6qPJoULrvl" %}
[Hotend & Nozzle](/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary/hotend-and-nozzle.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**On the Prusa, the print surface is magnetically coupled to the print bed, which moves along the Y-axis. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MR3QGrZCsBCHAtoQ8Zj" %}
[Print Surface, Bed & Y Axis](/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary/print-surface-bed-and-y-axis.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**Prusa's PINDA inductive probe sets the Z minimum coordinates of the printer as well as the z-offset. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MRIt6WL3Pgca-1UKrLE" %}
[PINDA Inductive Probe](/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary/pinda-inductive-probe.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**The toolhead that comprises of the extruder and hotend assembly, rides along the X-axis gantry. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MRItUSKvJDUGbDP6wBA" %}
[X-Axis Gantry](/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary/x-axis-and-gantry.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

**The Z-axis stage is what moves the X-Axis and Gantry up and down. Read more about it here:**

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MRItAbDyrXc9WP4FAN2" %}
[Z-Axis Stage](/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary/z-axis.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://ms-kb.msd.unimelb.edu.au/next-lab/3d-printing/open-access-printers/prusa-open-access/hardware-glossary.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.