3D Printing

The 3-D printers are here and objects are being made! 

Why does the library have a 3-D printer? Besides being awesomely fun? Libraries across the United States are getting 3-D printers as part of a push to become "maker spaces" in our communities. Libraries are incubators of ideas? Absolutely! We are not your fuddy-duddy library!

What kind of 3-D printers do the library have? We have 3 Bambu Lab X1 Carbon Combos, 2 Prusa MK4s, 2 Prusa Minis, and one Lulzbot Taz Workhorse. We print mostly 1.75mm PLA filament, but our more advanced printers can print ABS, ASA, TPU and CF!

Who gets to use the printers? Right now, our expectation is that staff will assist with printing. As individuals get trained in how to use the machine, they will be allowed to use it on their own.

Is there a cost involved?

SMALL OBJECTS less than 25g $3.00

MEDIUM OBJECTS 25 to 50 grams $5.00

LARGE OBJECTS 50 to 75 grams $10.00

EXTRA LARGE OBJECTS over 75 grams $0.15 per gram

How long does it take? Depends on the size of the object and how many other print jobs are in line ahead of you. Some small objects can be printed in an hour or less. Larger and more complex objects may take a couple of days. We won’t be able to print anything that takes more than 12 hours unless pre-approved by staff.

Do I have to print one item at a time? You can sometimes print multiple objects at the same time if there is enough room on the print bed and you want them to be the same color. In some cases, this can save you time while printing projects with multiple pieces. You can submit up to three separate print files at a time.

What software do I need to print with the 3D Printers? If you are looking to create your very own object, you will need to do so through a 3D modeling software such as TinkerCad, Fusion360, SketchUp, SolidWorks, or Autodesk Maya; otherwise, you can simply download models made by the community from free online databases such as Printables.com. Once you have a 3D model, simply download and use the free software, Bambu Studio for the X1 Carbon, or Prusa Slicer for the MK4 or Mini. Orca Slicer has profiles for 7 of our 8 3D printers and is a good place to start if you want a one stop slicing solution.

Can I build a gun at the library? Probably not. Staff have the right to veto certain print requests.

What is the biggest object I can print? Have you ever made a banner out of several sheets of copier paper? Technically you can make the object as big as you want by designing it in several pieces. The largest build volume is about 10” x 10” (width and depth) x 10” (height). Your prints will likely be in millimeters: 250 mm (width and depth) 250 mm x 250 mm (height).

What kind of material do the 3-D printers use? This model uses many kinds of filament. Right now we are using a Polylite PLA (polylactic acid) which is made from renewable resources such as corn starch, tapioca roots, or sugarcane and is biodegradable. Our more advanced printers can print ABS, ASA, TPU and CF! The filament size is 1.75 mm. We have very limited supplies of the more exotic materials so please plan ahead if you want to use these filaments.

What colors of filament are available? Check with staff first about which colors are available before placing your order. We will try to have the following available: black, white, clear, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink. Note: clear filament does not print a see-through object unless your design is very thin. All other colors are completely opaque.

Can I print two colors at once? Some of our printers have the capability of doing multi color prints. Multi color prints use significantly more filament than printing in individual colors. An alternative to this is to print the colors on individual plates and glue them together afterwards. You can also sand and finish these items with acrylic paints if you are so inclined.

Can library staff help design projects? Disclaimer: none of us are architects or engineers. We will help you to the best of our abilities, but it’s up to you to design your object so that it prints correctly.

How do I find something to print? There are several free designs available online. Here is a website to try:  www.printables.com

What are some good ideas for 3D print projects? You would be amazed at the possibilities! So far, we have successfully printed hundreds of items. Articulated prints have been the most popular. Who doesn't need an extra articulated dragon standing guard over your valuables while you are away? Use your imagination!

Can I print a copy of my hand? Not yet. We do not have a functioning 3D scanner at this time. Perhaps we can help you find something similar online!

What is an easy way to get started with my own project? Find a free 3D plan from a website like www.printables.com. Download the .stl file. Download the free software, Orca Slicer. Import the .stl file, make sure the object fits the print bed and save as a .gcode file. Load it onto your SD card or USB drive and bring it to the library! Want to print something specific and don't have access to a computer, give us a call and let us help you narrow your idea down.

 Our 3D Printer Policy can be found here.