3D Printing

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EQUIPMENT

Prusa MK2S and MK3

At the SciTech Business Library, we have four Prusa MK3 printers and two Prusa MK2S printers. These are our primary printers. For full specifications of the machines click the links below:

MK2S: https://www.prusa3d.com/new-user-mk2s/

MK3: https://www.prusa3d.com/new-user-mk3/

The DSC Makerspace allows access to the following printers (please visit their site for information about using these printers):

Ultimaker 2 Extended+: https://ultimaker.com/3d-printers/ultimaker-2-plus

Ultimaker 3 Extended: https://ultimaker.com/3d-printers/ultimaker-3

FormLabs Form 3 (not available for unmediated service): https://formlabs.com/3d-printers/form-3/

Material

PLA

At the Cameron SciTech Business Library, we use PLA filament. For a list of currently available colours please see here: https://web.library.ualberta.ca/services/3dprintinginfo/colors.php

We have a few rolls of a softer, more flexible PLA, although printing with it brings a number of challenges. Please reach out to us at makelibrary@ualberta.ca if you require soft PLA.

Software

Slicing Software

To prepare jobs for printing, we use either PrusaSlicer or Ultimaker Cura. To learn more and try them out, please visit their websites:

https://www.prusa3d.com/prusaslicer/

https://ultimaker.com/software/ultimaker-cura

Other Slicing Software

Slic3r is an open source software that converts STL files into Gcode. It is also useful for cutting and saving models into multiple pieces

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PREPARE YOUR MODEL

Here are some things that you will want to consider before submitting your design to the SciTech Library’s 3D printing service. For unmediated alternatives (wherein users do the printing themselves), please consult the DSC or TheShack.

Overhangs

Our 3D printers work by laying-down streams of filament one later at a time. If your design includes any parts that hang over 45 degrees, it will require our staff to consider the following solutions:

1. print the model using auto-generated supporting material
2. reorient the model to facilitate layer-by-layer printing
3. Modify the model (eg: cut it into 2 pieces using Slic3r)
4. Send the model back for redesigning

For more information about overhangs and supports, please view 3D Printing Overhang: How to 3D Print Overhangs.

Infill

The default infill amount for the printers at SciTech Business library is 5%. For some basic information about 3D printing infill, please view 3D Printing Infill: The Basics – Simply Explained. Requests for higher infill will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

File Format

All submissions need to be stereolithography files, with an STL extension (.stl).

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PRINTING POLICIES

1. The library's 3D printers may only be used for lawful academic purposes. No one is permitted to create material that is:
   • For commercial purposes
   • Prohibited by local, provincial, or federal law.
   • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others.
   • In violation of another's intellectual property rights. For example, you cannot reproduce material subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.
2. The library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
3. The library cannot guarantee model quality or stability, nor confidentiality of designs. Responsibility for removing rafts and supports is up to the user.
4. Items must be picked up by the individual who submitted them or their designee, using valid ID (ONEcard preferred). Items not picked up within 30 days of being printed become the property of the Library.
5. The 3D printing queue is prioritized based on factors such as academic priority, class due dates, reprints, and other issues as they arise. We reserve the right to alter the queue order based on these factors or others.

For more guidance, we recommend reviewing the University of Alberta’s Opening Up Copyright instructional module: Makerspaces and Copyright

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MAKERSPACES ON CAMPUS

Digital Scholarship Centre (DSC)

The Shack (Faculty of Science)

The Elko Engineering Garage

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3D PRINTING STATS

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2019 3D Printing Statistics

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