3D Printing
Explore 3D printing services at Old Town Library.
3D printing supports people of all ages in developing knowledge and skills in STEM activities. Create and design in new and inspiring ways using library access.
3D Print Catalog (English or Espanol)- fun, ready-to-go 3D print ideas recommended by the library’s 3D print staff.
Thingiverse - MakerBot’s searchable design library community.
MyMiniFactory - A curated social platform for 3D printable objects.
Tinkercad - a browser-based 3D design platform, now part of Autodesk (free version available).
Sketchup - comes in free or pro versions. Get the Sketchup STL from the Extension Warehouse.
Blender - a free and open source 3D creation suite.
How to Make Strong 3D Prints from Rapid Direct.
LinkedIn Learning – access Blender and Tinkercad tutorials.
File Format & Size
.stl files (STL = stereolithography) and .3mf files (3MF = 3D Manufacturing Format) accepted. Maximum file size 50MB.
Colors
3D prints are printed in a single color of your choice; standard, silk and matte colors available. Want to see the color choices in person? Visit the 2nd floor computer lab at Old Town Library.
Units
We recommend you build your model in millimeters or convert to millimeters before submitting the final file.
Resolution
3D prints are printed with medium resolution, 0.2 mm per layer with 20% infill. Need customized resolutions? Add resolution info in the ‘Notes’ section of the submission form. Library staff will communicate if requested resolutions can be provided.
Supports & Rafts
Support structures are needed if the design includes a section that extends from the base more than 45 degrees. Occasionally, a raft must be added to a design to help it adhere to the printer bed. Customers are responsible for removing supports or rafts from a print job.
Dimension & Print Time Maximums
– Maximum dimensions 255mm x 155mm x 170mm (10in x 6in x 6.7in)
– Print times of up to 4 hours per file are supported
– Active orders under 10 print hours (for all files combined) are given priority.
3D********@po*************.org
Old Town Library (2nd floor)
201 Peterson St.
Fort Collins, CO 80524
3D printing is accessible to everyone! For beginners, visit the library’s 3D print catalog for ready-to-print ideas (available in both English and Spanish). The catalog provides fun new 3D print ideas along with cost information. Or visit the Old Town Library computer lab in-person to learn about 3D printing.
3D print services are available to all ages and a library card is not required. People are welcome to come and watch the 3D printer in action at Old Town Library. Library staff will slice 3D print files, load color filaments, and process prints from the build plate.
Customers
Library Staff
3D printing cost is $0.10 per gram of filament used. Total cost is based on the estimate given by the printing software program (plus tax). Printing charges are collected at pickup. Most 3D print items cost $5 or less; customers will receive a confirmation email with cost information after an order is submitted.
The library’s 3D print services are offered 24/7 through the library website. 3D print orders can be submitted from any Internet-connected device or at home; the library also offers public-access Internet computers to create 3D prints and submit 3D print orders. Customers are asked to pick up their completed prints in person at Old Town Library.
The Library currently has one Dremel DigiLab 3D45 3D Printer, located in the 2nd floor computer lab at the Old Town Library. The DigiLab can print objects up to 10″ x 6″ x 6.7″ in a variety of single colors.
The Library uses plant-based, recyclable PLA plastic (#7). PLA does not contain BPA and is not heat resistant. Objects created on the 3D printer are not food safe.
Modeling software is a computer-assisted-design (CAD) approach to creating a new 3D digital file. Modeling software allows users to design an object on the computer and save it as a .stl or .3mf file. There are free modeling software options available.
Slicing software is required to translate a .stl or .3mf file into a language that the 3D printer recognizes, G-code. Slicing software ‘slices’ files into horizonal layers and allows users to adjust settings and supports. Free open-source slicing software is available through Cura and Prusa. In addition, the library offers access to Dremel slicing software on the library’s public Internet computers. For home use, visit Dremel’s slicing software download page.
Print times vary based on size, complexity, and the number of 3D prints waiting to be processed. Typically, single file or small project 3D prints take around two weeks to be completed. Large 3D print jobs, with 3+ files, may take a month or longer to complete.
To best provide 3D print opportunities to our community, 3D print orders requiring 10 hours or less (between all submitted files) will receive priority printing.
