3D Printing @ MLJ Hardin County District Library
We have the Dremel 3D40. Staff members can help you with loading the machine for a build but are unable to design, search or convert files.
What objects can I print?
We will print anything for you as long as your object cannot be misconstrued as a weapon or sexual. We reserves the right to determine what is and is not considered appropriate.
What will it Cost?
Use of the 3D printer is free, we charge nominal fee for PLA filament. We use 1.75, 3D Dremel filament, at this time we cannot use filament brought in by patrons.
2019/2020 cost is $0.10 per gram of filament used with a minimum charge of $.50 for items under 1 gram to cover filament. We can give you an estimate prior to printing your model, and will let you know the exact price once it has finished. Remember, the more intricate or large your model is, the more filament it will use.
*Please note: You are responsible for costs of failed prints due to design error and prints that do not complete before closing or end of your reservation time.*
How long does it take?
One of the biggest misconceptions about 3D printing is the amount of time to produce an object. It is not a quick process! For example, printing a king or queen chess piece takes approximately one hour.
How can I use the 3D printer to print my model?
3D models should be saved in STL or OBJ format in the program used to create these files. You can then use any of the Dremel supported slicers to convert the files into buildable models. The supported slicers are: Autodesk Print Studio, Digilab 3D Slicer, and Simplify 3D.Once you have sliced/converted into .g3drem file format, save it on a USB drive. (8G USB drives for sale at circulation desk for $4.00)
To request a 3D print, please bring your file on USB drive to Susan in Youth Services or our Reference Desk. Please print your name, phone number, date turning in, and color choice clearly on a piece of paper attached to your USB drive. We will review your file and a staff member will place your file in our 3D printing queue. If you wish to be here during your projects build please note that on paper (you will be called when your project is to be built).
We limit four hours per day per patron for our Dremel 3D users, 3D prints determined to take longer than four hours will be done at our discretion. Expect one to two weeks for files on our print queue.
Station Reservations
Reservations can be made in 2 hour slots with 4 hour maximum per day per patron.
Extra time may be granted (at discretion of the staff) if no one is waiting.
If your project runs over your time limit, we will allow it to continue to print until the next appointment arrives and is ready to print or we close.
The 3D machine cannot be used during hours the library is closed, no overnight printing is permitted.
There is a ten minute grace period before reservations are automatically cancelled.
Reservations can be made up to 6 weeks in advance.
It is strongly encouraged to book ahead of your visit to ensure availability
Tutorials and designs for 3D Printing
Check out the following websites to learn more about how you can create or find 3D Printing designs.
Thingiverse makes printing as easy as picking a project from a catalog
Tinkercad provides tutorials and allows you to download your file for printing.
SketchUp is useful for 3D modeling, including prototyping and architectural design.