3D Printer -- Restricted Designs

The library has a public policy against providing services that support hateful and/or derogatory and/or blatantly obscene projects. In addition, there are a few specific projects that we cannot support for 3D printing.

Intellectual Property

Please note that 3D printers have made it possible to reproduce copyrighted and patented works, so you should review the information on our page about Protected Works.

Firearms

The Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988 and 18 U.S.C. 922(p) makes it an unlawful act to manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver possess, transfer, or receive any firearm that is not detectable by walk-through metal detectors. Our Makerspace will not knowingly allow our equipment or software to be used for manufacturing any part that is intended to be used in a firearm.

Toy Guns

Toy guns require an orange tip. It is an unlawful act to manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm (“device”) unless such device meets the following requirements:

• a blaze orange (Fed-Std-595B 12199) or orange color brighter than that specified by the federal standard color number, solid plug permanently affixed to the muzzle end of the barrel as an integral part of the entire device and recessed no more than 6 millimeters from the muzzle end of the barrel

• a blaze orange (Fed-Std-595B 12199) or orange color brighter than that specified by the Federal Standard color number, marking permanently affixed to the exterior surface of the barrel, covering the circumference of the barrel from the muzzle end for a depth of at least 6 millimeters

• the entire device is completely transparent or translucent which permits unmistakable observation of the device's complete contents

• coloration of the entire exterior surface of the device in white, bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, bright blue, bright pink, or bright purple, either singly or as the predominant color in combination with other colors in any pattern

We are not able to meet these conditions and we cannot guarantee that they are met, so we are not permitted to print toy guns. Legal permission can be obtained for theater, movie, and television, but we do not offer this legal service.

Aircraft Parts

The FAA has jurisdiction over the fabrication of all aircraft parts. In October of 2017, the FAA has drafted a 7- to 8-year roadmap to address regulations, certifications, and policies regarding additive manufacturing. At the time of writing this guide, the FAA has not released an approved guideline. Our Makerspace will not provide a service for manufacturing any part used in aircraft under the jurisdiction of the FAA.