3-D printing, also called additive manufacturing, is any of various processes used to make a three-dimensional object from a digital file. Material (in our case plastic) is laid down in layers to build the object. The interior of the object is not filled with a solid; rather it has a honeycomb structure which keeps the object light while giving it strength.
The Library has Afinia H800 and Lulzbot Taz 6 3-D Printers. We mostly use PLA (polyactic acid filament). PLA is a boiplastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch. We also have some ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) and specialty filaments. We have a variety of colors of filament, you can choose your color when you bring your print into the library.
Procedure
Objects to print can be found on Thingiverse.com, Pinshape.com or you can create your own using 3-D modeling software such as:
You will need to download the file in .STL format onto a USB drive.
Submit the Request for 3-D Printing below. Once your request has been received, a staff member will contact you to schedule a time for your print. You can discuss color choices when you schedule your print as different colors are available at different branches.
Guidelines
The library’s 3-D printer may be used only for lawful purposes. The public is not permitted to use the 3-D printer to create items that are:
- Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
- Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or pose a threat to the well-being of others.
- Obscene, sexually explicit, or inappropriate for the library environment as determined by library staff.
- In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the printer may not be used to reproduce objects which are protected by a copyright, patent, or trademark.
The library reserves the right to refuse any 3-D print request.
The 3-D printer will only be used by designated staff and volunteers.
The library is not responsible for the subsequent safety of any item made with the 3-D printer.
Cost
$0.20 per gram of filament used
