3D Printing

The Murray Avenue Library has two Lulzbot Mini 2 printers. One is set up to print using a plastic called PLA (a nontoxic, biodegradable plastic made from corn). The other is set to print a flexible material called TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). Our machine prints one color objects, and our limit for student use is 10cm max dimension.

Anyone can create and submit a design for printing following the procedure below.

HOW TO BEGIN

  1. Begin on www.TinkerCAD.com by going to Sign In and clicking on SIGN IN USING SOCIAL PROVIDERS. You will not need to type in your email address, just click to sign in with Google.

  2. Use the LEARN feature to complete the six tutorials on how to use the design program.

  3. A few notes about your design:

      • Objects that have stable bases are more likely to print well. Imagine building a sandcastle. Every structure that you build will stay in place only if there is something below it supporting it.

      • Hollow out as many parts as you can to keep it light and printing quickly.

      • All of the parts that make up your design must be connected to one another (no floating pieces).

      • We will print objects up to 10cm in any direction.

      • We cannot print objects the violate school rules in any way.

  4. Though we print for free, the 3D printed object will be the most expensive part of your prototype. If there’s another way, try that first. We will not print simple shapes that you could easily make another way. Design something that has never existed before!


HOW TO GET YOUR DESIGN PRINTED

  1. Make sure nothing is floating and group all pieces before exporting.

  2. Name the project your first and last name followed by the color you want it printed, ex: Harry_Potter_purple

The filament ("ink" for a 3D printer) colors that we have right now are: red, teal, purple, orange, black & white

  1. Click the person with the plus sign in the upper right hand corner and generate and copy a new link.

  2. Complete this form to submit for printing.

NEXT STEPS

TinkerCAD is a great web-based application for drag and drop design, but it's very different from the programs that professionals use in the field. If you want to take your designs to the next level, check out the 3D modeling software at www.vectary.com which is also web-based and free to use.


Check out this 3D print of a lion that uses the material and design specifics to create a furry mane.