3D printing is the process of creating a physical object from a digital model. It is also known as additive manufacturing because the physical model is built one layer at a time from the bottom up.
3D printing provides an opportunity for everyone to take an idea from their imagination, design it, and create a physical model. ACL is actively building a community environment that nurtures creativity while stimulating and supporting learning and innovation.
ABOUT THE EQUIPMENT
Weedo X40
WEEDO X40 is designed with independent dual extruders that supports 5 printing modes: Normal single nozzle printing;Dual-color printing with the same material (PLA+PLA, ABS+ABS);Duplication mode printing (printing 2 copies of the same item at the same time);Mirror mode printing (printing a normal and a mirror copy of an item at the same time);Mixed material printing (PLA+PVA, ABS+PVA, PLA+TPU, ABS+TPU). It has a build area of 300 x 300 x 400mm.
Lulzbot Taz 5
The TAZ 5 features the LulzBot Hexagon hot end, which can heat up to 300°C (572°F). Now, the TAZ is capable of printing in even more materials than ever! The LulzBot TAZ 5 also features a PEI print surface. This new, low maintenance print bed surface requires no preparation before you start printing. And once your print is finished, part removal is simple and easy! Specifications for the LulzBot TAZ 5:
- Print Surface: Heated borosilicate glass bed covered with PEI print surface
- Print Area: 298mm x 275mm x 250mm (11.7in x 10.8in x 9.8in)
- Print Volume: 20,500cm3 (1238 in3) of usable space
- Top Print Speed: 200mm/sec (7.9in/sec)
- Layer Thickness: 0.075mm to 0.35mm (0.003in – 0.0138in)
- Capable Materials: ABS, PLA, HIPS, PVA, wood filled filaments, Polyester (Tritan), PETT, bronze and copper filled filaments, Polycarbonate, Nylon, PETG, conductive PLA and ABS, UV luminescent filaments, PCTPE, PC-ABS, and more every day
FAQ
Any patron with a library card in good standing may use the Library’s 3D print services. Alpena County residents who do not have a library card and wish to make 3D prints should sign up for a library card. Out-of–district residents, who are unable to obtain a Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library card but wish to print 3D models, should speak to the staff on duty.
- Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library staff have the sole discretion to determine the order in which 3D models are printed.
- Patrons are limited to printing one 3D item at a time and may have only one item in the print queue at a time. If a 3D model consists of multiple separate parts, each part will constitute a single item
- Library staff will contact patron when printing is complete, and patron must pick up completed models within three weeks of completion.
- If models are not picked up within three weeks following completion, then the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library may dispose of them in any manner it deems appropriate.
The only thing you need to bring is the file for 3D model you wish to print. We recommend .stl file type that are smaller than 10mb in size. You can bring your file on a storage device or access it via cloud storage or URL.
The cost of printing is $0.15 per gram.
- Library staff may estimate the price prior to printing the model, but the exact price will be given to patrons after printing is complete.
- All 3D models must be paid for in full before being released to patrons.
- The cost of 3D models not paid for and collected within three weeks following completion of the print will be charged as a fine against the patron’s library card.
- Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library reserves the right to change printing costs any time it deems necessary.
We provide all the materials for our 3D printers.
Our Lulzbot Taz 5 3D printer is equipped with PLA or polylactic acid, and ABS or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS).
Our Weedo X40 3D printer is equipped with PLA or polylactic acid, and TPU or thermoplastic polyurethane. PLA is a rigid material that it is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugar cane. TPU is a flexible material that combines the properties of rubber and plastic.
A great way to get started 3D modeling is using a free web-based program like TinkerCAD, known for its simplicity and ease of use.
If you are wanting to get inspired with ideas and download files created by others in the 3D printing community, we recommend checking out the following sites.
Each of these provide a fairly deep dive into 3D printing, enjoy!
FDM 3D Printing – Simply Explained from All3DP
The Complete Guide to 3D Printing from Xometry
Complete Engineering Guide to 3d Printing from 3d Hubs
- Because of inherent limitations with equipment, the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library does not guarantee that any 3D model will print suc-cessfully. If a print fails due to Library staff error or hardware failure, the Library will attempt to reprint the object, and the patron will not be charged for the failed attempt, except as stated in the next paragraph.
- The Library may refuse to reprint the object after two unsuccessful attempts.
- The Library may refuse to print 3D models that clearly contain errors or that are, as determined by Library staff, beyond the capabilities of the Library’s equipment. The cost of failed prints due to errors within the 3D model and 3D models that are beyond the equipment’s capabilities may be charged to the patron. Alpena County George N. Fletcher staff have sole discretion to make slight alterations such as adding supports to patrons’ designs in an attempt to make them printable, but the Library does not guarantee that they will print successfully.
- Patrons are responsible for any extra cost associated with alterations to their designs regardless of whether the print is successful.