A toolpath is the planned route a 3D printer head follows as it builds a part layer by layer. It tells the machine where to move, when to extrude material, and how fast to do it. In practice, the toolpath is usually generated by slicer software from a 3D model and then converted into machine instructions such as G-code.
Toolpaths matter in cyber security because they are part of the digital chain between design and physical output. If an attacker alters a toolpath, they can change the shape, strength, or function of a printed part without touching the original model. That can sabotage manufacturing, create hidden defects, or weaken trusted components. Defenders protect against this by restricting access to slicer and printer systems, checking file integrity, reviewing generated instructions, and validating final prints against expected geometry.