Part Shape and build parameters in 3D Printing play a vital role in determining mechanical properties of 3D printed parts. Particularly, the use of 2D layers printed parallel to the build surface produces weak parts especially when stresses perpendicular to the layer interface. We investigate a novel approach that uses non-planar 3D layers, Active Z printing, to improve mechanical strength by aligning the principal stresses in the part parallel to the material deposition paths.