Library MakerSpace: 3D Printing
3D Printing Overview
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing is the process of making a three-dimensional object by building up layers of material. To do this, the machine takes a digital 3D model that has been "sliced" into several layers that can then be printed, one on top of the other. The picture below shows an example of a 3D printed object. Notice how the plastic has layered lines.
3D Printers at the Library MakerSpace
UltiMaker S3 UltiMaker S5
Build Volume: 8.5 x 8.5 x 7.9 in Build Volume: 13 x 9.5 x 11.8 in
Interested in 3D printing? Use this online form to submit a 3D printing request. Please email us with other questions and/or concerns or to schedule an in-person or online consultation to talk about your project in more depth.
Materials We Use
We primarily use colorFabb's XT and nGen filaments. XT and nGen are both polymer filaments made in co-operation with Eastman Chemical Company. The colors we stock change, however we consistently have black, white, gray, and Carolina blue colored filament available.
Picking Up 3D Prints
You will recieve an email when your project is ready to be picked up. Please bring your One Card with you to show the staff present at the desk. Your 3D print will be in a brown paper bag with your Onyen on it, located on a cart behind the desk.
FAQ and Policies
Answer: There is no cost associated with 3D printing. 3D printing is funded by a grant from the Student Library Advisory Board.
Answer: There is not an exact limit on academic use. Each file will be assessed for size and material use before being accepted. There is a limit of one non-academic project per month using no more than 150g of material.
Answer: Our 3D printers can produce layers down to 100 microns (0.0039 in.) but can lose accuracy on larger models.
Answer: Build times vary depending upon several factors: size, intricacy, amount of support material required, and the number of print requests in the queue. Once your request begins printing, build times typically range from 2 hours to 48 hours each. Once the model has been completed, you will be notified via email that it is available for pickup. Files will be printed in the order they are received with priority given to academic and research projects with a deadline; during busy periods, turnaround time may be up to 15 business days. Projects for personal use are not guaranteed a specific turnaround time; larger objects and high-resolution prints will take longer to complete.
Answer: 3D printing is available to current UNC-Chapel Hill affiliates. Academic use will be given priority over other projects. Non-academic print requests have no guaranteed turnaround time and are subject to staff approval. Due to the volume of requests, please limit your submissions to one non-academic project per month requiring no more than 150g of material.
Answer: Models that are left or not picked up after 1 week may be discarded unless prior arrangements have been made with staff.
Answer: The printers will only be operated directly by staff right now. If you are interested in operating a 3D printer yourself, visit the the BeAM@Carmichael, BeAM@Murray, and BeaM@Hanes locations. Directions and orientation times can be found here.
Answer: The printers are for non-commercial use only and should not be used to print items that are intended for sale. The printers also cannot be used to print weapons or facsimiles of weapons.
Additional Learning
3D Printing by
This book is an introduction to the wide and varied world of 3D printing--an incredible technology used across an ever-growing list of industries. As 3D printing continues to skyrocket in popularity, it's increasingly important to understand how these machines work and how to apply 3D printing technology to personal and professional interests. More important still, this book highlights how surprisingly easy 3D printers can be to use, even for readers who don't consider themselves particularly tech-savvy. This book provides a comprehensive overview of 3D printing for first-time users. The text introduces some of the most popular types of 3D printing technology available, as well as some of the most exciting and compelling applications across industry today. The content dives deeply into one of the most popular and widely accessible 3D print technology on the market: fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The reader will learn basic FDM 3D printer anatomy, software settings, as well as the tips and tricks to master your own FDM 3D printer. The book provides a firm understanding of what FDM 3D printing excels at, its current limitations, and how to troubleshoot and overcome some of the most common 3D printing problems. The book then provides some 'STEAM-building' cross-disciplinary challenges and applications for the reader to complete at home. This book is for novice readers who might be early in their 3D printing journey. For those looking to learn more about introductory 3D printing and curious about how to get started, this is an excellent place to start. By the end of the book, the reader should have all the understanding and tools necessary to start 3D printing with confidence.
ISBN: 9783031193491Publication Date: 2022-11-22
3D Printing by
"3D Printing: Fundamentals to Emerging Applications discusses the fundamentals of 3D printing technologies, current state-of-the-art knowledge, and their emerging applications in many important sectors such as energy, biomedicals, and sensors. Top international authors in their field cover the fundamentals of 3D printing technologies for batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, sensors, biomedical, and other emerging applications. They also address current challenges and possible solutions in 3D printing technologies for advanced applications"--
ISBN: 9781003296676Publication Date: 2024-04-01
3D Design Resources
3D Design Software
Tinkercad
Tinkercad: An easy-to-use web-based tool for creating objects that are ready to be 3D printed. If you haven’t done 3D design before, this is a great place to start.
Fusion 360
Fusion 360: A next-step-up from Tinkercad, Fusion 360 lets you develop more complex models. Free educational license
3D Design Tutorials
- LinkedIn Learning TutorialsWatch 3D imaging video tutorials for free using your Onyen login on LinkedIn Learning.
- Tinkercad Learning CenterTinkercad offers free tutorials on how to navigate the application and create simple 3D designs.
BeAM
Want to get hands-on experience 3D printing?
Visit BeAM for more information on how to get certified in 3D printing!