Our guidelines are designed to increase access to 3D printing, encourage original design and creativity, encourage eco-friendly practices, and cut down on unsuccessful prints.

Getting Started

• You must finish the identity token tutorial on our website and agree to these rules before you start printing.
• If you don’t follow these rules, you might not be allowed to use the 3D printers anymore. Staff always has the final say on printing.
• If there’s a problem with the printers, please tell a staff member right away.

What you can print

• You can print ready-made designs (like those you find online) that take under four hours.
• You can print your own designs that will be done by 9AM the following day.
• Longer prints require the permission of the Makerspace Librarian. We’re more likely to say yes to prints you’ve designed, improved through trial and error, or that have a significant purpose.
• Absolutely no weapons, weapon parts, items that look like weapons, or anything that’s copyrighted.

Printing Process

• Printers are available on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can reserve some online through our website.
• Ask staff to assign you a printer. Only print on your assigned printer.
• Prints must be checked and approved by staff before being sent to the printer.

When a print fails

• When a print fails and you want to re-print it, please fill out a “print failure report” explaining what happened and give it to staff when you’re ready to re-print the object.

3D Printing Guidelines

Materials

• PLA is the material most objects are printed with in the Makerspace. It is the least expensive and easiest to print with material.
• Advanced materials (PVA/BVOH/TPU/Wood-based PLA) can be used once you’ve printed a few (2-3) objects and where they make sense for the print.
• Do a test print with PLA before you try a new print with more advanced materials, especially if it it a big print.
• Large or complex prints using advanced materials may be referred to the Makerspace Librarian.

Settings

• Start with these settings unless you need different settings for a specific reason:
  • Infill: 10-20%
  • Resolution: .15-.2mm
  • Adhesion: on
• We want you to experiment with settings but test them on a small print first if you haven’t used them before.
• Talk to staff before changing advanced settings in Cura or any settings on the 3D printers.
• When you are done, reset the settings for the next person.

Support

• For most things use PLA as your support material.
• When using PVA/BVOH as support material explore the “interface” setting for big items to increase the chance of it working.

General Tips

• Explore how changing the orientation of an object can decrease the print time, the need for support material, or increase the quality of the print.
• Try prototyping large or complicated objects by printing smaller test versions or parts of objects first.