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DISTRICT

3D Printer Polciy

PURPOSE

The Library desires to offer community access to new and emerging technologies such as 3D printers to inspire a new interest in design and help the community to bring their creations to life. This policy establishes how and under what circumstances the public may use the Library’s 3D printer.

POLICY

The Library’s 3D printer are available to the public to make three-dimensional objects in plastic using a design that is uploaded from a digital computer file.

  1. The Library’s 3D printer may be used for academic and non-academic purposes. The public will not be permitted to use the Library’s 3D printer to create material that is:
    1. Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
    2. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others. (Such use may violate the terms of use of the manufacturer.)
    3. Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the Library environment.
    4. In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the printers will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.
  2. The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.

  3. Cost: Puckett students and teachers do not pay to use 3D printing services for academic purposes; however, charges for non-academic printing will be based on material usage.

    FORMULA = 2lb/$75 x amount of filament/cost      
    KEY CHAIN EXAMPLE: 2/$75 x .065/X | 2X = 4.875 | X = $2.45 

  4. Items printed from Library 3D printer that are not picked up within 7 days will become property of the Library. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them.

  5. Only designated staff will have hands-on access to the 3D printer.

PROCEDURES

The procedure for printing from the Library’s 3D printer is as follows:

  1. Design creation:
    1. The 3D printer can be used with basic knowledge of Google Sketch Up and MakerBot. Creating a new design requires an advanced knowledge of 3D modeling software products. 
    2. Any 3D drafting software may be used to create a design as long as the file can be saved in .stl, .obj, or .thing file format.
    3. The Library has computers with Google Sketch Up and Photoshop software that may be used to create a design.
    4. Digital designs also are available from various file-sharing databases such as Thingiverse.com.
  2. Submitting a design for printing:
    1. Persons wanting to use the 3D printer shall bring their file (in .stl, .obj, or .thing file format) (no larger than 25MB) to the WDL Makerspace during open hours. Staff will add the model to the printing queue.
    2. If there is high demand, the Library will schedule only one print per day per person or entity.
    3. The files will be readied for printing in MakerWare and will view all files in MakerWare before printing.
      Wait/pickup time: Items may be picked up at the WDL Makerspace. It is sometimes difficult to estimate exact print times. Library staff will make an educated guess about the length of a job upon request.
      Please note that procedures governing the use of the Library’s 3D printer are subject to change.