Discover 3D Printing: A Deep Dive into the Make-It Lab at TSCPL.

Imagine being able to create custom, three-dimensional objects right at your fingertips - sounds like some futuristic concept, right? Not anymore. 3D printing technology is transforming the way we create and design, and this powerful capability is swiftly transitioning from being a high-tech novelty to an integral part of day-to-day life. And now, this revolutionary access to the future of manufacturing is available to the public 〞 right at Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library's Make-It Lab. This post will guide you through the marvels of 3D printing at TSCPL.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process where a physical object is created from a three-dimensional digital model. This creation process proceeds layer by layer, akin to building a structure brick by brick, from the bottom up. Each layer is a horizontal cross-section of the eventual object.

Technicalities aside, our 3D printer at the Make-It Lab is the state-of-the-art Ultimaker 3 offering a dual-extrusion print head with an auto-nozzle lifting system and swappable print cores. This means you can switch between different types of materials in the middle of a print process. Our printer uses the material PLA (Polylactic Acid), a versatile and user-extrudable thermoplastic. PLA provides excellent visual quality and has low shrink and warp properties, a low odor, and a satisfying overall 3D print experience.

The incredible thing about the Ultimaker 3 is the precision it provides with a layer resolution of up to 20 microns (0.001mm). It operates with a 0.4 mm nozzle, allowing for intricate details in the design. Even small objects printed may require a brim to help them adhere to the print surface. 3D printing gives designers, inventors, hobbyists, or anyone with curiosity and creativity, the power to prototype and improve their ideas and designs in real-time.

Something to be mindful of is that if your design has overhangs or arms, or is too complex, the print might fail without supports. Thus, 3D printing also simultaneously educates designers about the importance of regulated complexity in a design. "Was it too complex? Was it too thin or have too much overhang?" are questions you'll find yourself asking if prints don't turn out right, leading to improvement in your 3D design skills over time.

If you're new to this and aren＊t familiar with 3D modeling software, don't worry! You can always start by printing an existing design. Websites like Thingiverse and YouMagine offer thousands of 3D designs that you can download and print, or you can use the 3D Test Files provided by TSCPL.

You can also create your very own design using a 3D modeling program. Our Make-It Lab and the Design Station Macs both have Blender and SketchUp software installed, and the public computers throughout the library are equipped with Microsoft＊s 3D Builder. Remember to save your file in .STL. .OBJ, .DAE, or .AMF format.

Time to print is equally interesting. It reflects the complexity of your 3D design file, with factors such as overall size, layer height, shell thickness, and fill density impacting print times. An exciting part of the process involves the Ultimaker3 printer using Cura software, requiring a .GCODE file on a USB drive. At TSCPL, library staff will assist you in importing your 3D design file into the Cura software, allowing you to check dimensions, reshape if necessary, and providing you an estimated printing time.

An essential point to note is the maximum allowed print time is 3 hours per job, ensuring fair usage of the printer for all the enthusiasts out there! Once your 3D object is ready, our staff will remove your completed print which can be collected at the Customer Service Desk. Each print job is priced at $5 only, an insignificant amount considering the endless possibilities this technology can bring.

Join us today at the Make-It Lab and get started on your 3D printing journey. Who knows, you might just create the blueprint of a future invention! No matter your expertise, every journey starts with the first step. Let that initial stride be at the TSCPL's Make-It Lab, your gate to the fascinating world of 3D printing.