3D printing can be a useful way to replicate troublesome parts in machines, display items, or even toys. To print something, though, we need a digitally designed 3D model that we can send to the printers. If you have a physical part that you would like to replicate, but you don't feel confident in your ability to make the 3D model yourself, drop in to the Digital Media Lab anytime during this session to talk to one of our specialists about if it will be possible for us to make a model for you. Please be prepared to leave your item at the library for a number of days as we work on replicating it.
Standard 3D print pricing applies to any models created. Our pricing structure can be seen here, along with available colors for printing, but we will also be happy to show you demo parts in person that can illustrate that system more clearly.
Please note that not everything can be 3D printed, so we cannot guarantee success without examining your part. Frequent issues come from:
- the part being too small/finely detailed.
- having no flat surface that we can line up with the print bed.
- relying on very specific, organic geometry. We can scan some items, but these scans will be more impressionistic than accurate, so they will never be machine-capable.
Some other elements to think about before coming would be the use-case for your part. Does it need to withstand heat or stress? Does it need to withstand the elements during outdoor use? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, we may need to print your part in PETG or ABS, which have more limited color options and which can be more demanding with model design, so please let us know if you think this will be an important factor.
