An apparatus comprising: a platform configured to support an object during manufacturing; an extruder having a plurality of nozzles and a faceplate, the faceplate having apertures aligned with the nozzles; at least one actuator operatively connected to at least one of the extruder and the platform, the at least one actuator being configured to move the at least one of the extruder and the platform relative to the other of the extruder and the platform; and a controller operatively connected to the extruder and the at least one actuator, the controller being configured to: operate the extruder to extrude a swath of thermoplastic material through at least two of the nozzles of the extruder with reference to object image data and extruder path data to form a swath of thermoplastic material along a path of relative movement between the extruder and the platform; and characterized in that the controller is further configured to operate the at least one actuator to move the at least one of the extruder and the platform along the path of relative movement at a predetermined speed, the controller selecting the predetermined speed with reference to an orientation of the faceplate of the extruder and an angle for the path of relative movement between the extruder and the platform to make the swath of the thermoplastic material contiguous in a cross-process direction. a platform configured to support an object during manufacturing; an extruder having a plurality of nozzles and a faceplate, the faceplate having apertures aligned with the nozzles; at least one actuator operatively connected to at least one of the extruder and the platform, the at least one actuator being configured to move the at least one of the extruder and the platform relative to the other of the extruder and the platform; and a controller operatively connected to the extruder and the at least one actuator, the controller being configured to: operate the extruder to extrude a swath of thermoplastic material through at least two of the nozzles of the extruder with reference to object image data and extruder path data to form a swath of thermoplastic material along a path of relative movement between the extruder and the platform; and characterized in that the controller is further configured to operate the at least one actuator to move the at least one of the extruder and the platform along the path of relative movement at a predetermined speed, the controller selecting the predetermined speed with reference to an orientation of the faceplate of the extruder and an angle for the path of relative movement between the extruder and the platform to make the swath of the thermoplastic material contiguous in a cross-process direction. operate the extruder to extrude a swath of thermoplastic material through at least two of the nozzles of the extruder with reference to object image data and extruder path data to form a swath of thermoplastic material along a path of relative movement between the extruder and the platform; and characterized in that the controller is further configured to operate the at least one actuator to move the at least one of the extruder and the platform along the path of relative movement at a predetermined speed, the controller selecting the predetermined speed with reference to an orientation of the faceplate of the extruder and an angle for the path of relative movement between the extruder and the platform to make the swath of the thermoplastic material contiguous in a cross-process direction.