Click on the guide to open or download the instructions to start printing.
Create a free login, watch the tutorials, and you can design anything. You can export to Minecraft, an .stl file to print, or upload it to Thingiverse.
NOTICE CONCERNING COPYRIGHT AND OTHER LEGAL RESTRICTIONS
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The person using this equipment is liable for any infringement.
3D printing services are available for lawful purposes only. United States intellectual property laws, including copyright (Title 17, USC), patent (Title 35, USC), and trademark law, govern the making of reproductions of materials protected by law.
Our Polar 3D printer is housed in the EGSC Library and is free for all users.
8" diameter & 6.25" tall for total of 314in³ build volume
We use 1.75m PLA filament
Printer can use Non-Proprietary 1.75mm materials (PLA, ABS, Wood, Carbon, etc.)
50-400 Microns layer resolution
0.4mm (.015in) nozzle diameter
Can accept .stl, .obj, .p3d files
Cloud-based system
Viewable and controllable within a browser
What is 3D printing? How does it work?
3D printing is the process of making a physical object from a digital model. It is also known as additive manufacturing because the physical model is built up one layer at a time.
The 3D printer uses a process called Fused Filament Fabrication, in which a plastic filament is fed through a heated nozzle which melts the plastic. Computer-controlled motors move the nozzle or build plate around to create the shape of a layer, which hardens immediately. The object is built this way, one layer at a time, from the bottom up.
What if I need help?
Printing using the Polar 3D printer is new for EGSC. The staff are happy to help you learn how to use it.
Remember, 3D printing is an experiment. Prints will not always turn out as you expect them to.
Printing is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is coordinated by the Library staff. Priority printing is given to class projects.
Thingiverse is MakerBot's 3D printing community. Most items are free to download and licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Yeggi is a search engine for 3D printable models. Models range in prices.
Users create an account to access thousands of free 3D printable models. Each and every object is curated and test printed by members of the MyMiniFactory community.
Online community for publishing and finding online 3D content.
Free models of objects in the Smithsonian collection complete with museum information.