<p>Without more anymore context "downstream" could be in reference to a print that would be sent to another machine for post-processing. The post-processing machine is "downstream" from the machine used to make the print in the first place.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-20T16:22:04.803Z
2018-12-20T16:22:04.803Z
user5507
<p>Imagine an assembly line and the flow of the material along that line. That flow is analogous to a river, and therefore any machining/processing following on from <em>any point</em> along that line is considered to be downstream of <em>that point</em>.</p>

<p>From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downstream_(manufacturing)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia - Downstream (Manufacturing)</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Downstream in manufacturing refers to processes that occur later on in a production sequence or production line. </p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T03:39:09.687Z
2018-12-22T03:39:09.687Z
Greenonline
<p>I'm working with a project involving 3D printing's terminology, but I'm not such an expert... so I was asking myself if someone can explain the meaning of the "downstream" adjective in this field. </p>

<p>More precisely, I'm dealing with this sentence: "Handle any downstream task", which I really can't understand because it has a very poor context. </p>

<p>I also have this sentence with the adjective that I'm having trouble with:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Confidently send your surfaces downstream knowing your results are usable design surfaces.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-12-22T03:33:24.803Z
A link to the page would be useful, in order to fully understand. That said, this question probably belongs on ELL.SE.
Greenonline
<terminology>
What the adjective "downstream" is used for?
Vforpanic
# What the adjective "downstream" is used for?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-12-20)

I'm working with a project involving 3D printing's terminology, but I'm not such an expert... so I was asking myself if someone can explain the meaning of the "downstream" adjective in this field.

More precisely, I'm dealing with this sentence: "Handle any downstream task", which I really can't understand because it has a very poor context.

I also have this sentence with the adjective that I'm having trouble with:

> Confidently send your surfaces downstream knowing your results are usable design surfaces.

**Tags:** terminology
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: A link to the page would be useful, in order to fully understand. That said, this question probably belongs on ELL.SE.  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-12-20. Score: 1

Without more anymore context "downstream" could be in reference to a print that would be sent to another machine for post-processing. The post-processing machine is "downstream" from the machine used to make the print in the first place.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2018-12-22. Score: 0

Imagine an assembly line and the flow of the material along that line. That flow is analogous to a river, and therefore any machining/processing following on from *any point* along that line is considered to be downstream of *that point*.

From [Wikipedia - Downstream (Manufacturing)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downstream_(manufacturing))

> Downstream in manufacturing refers to processes that occur later on in a production sequence or production line.


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