3D Printer Policies

Usage Policies

Because 3D Printers are often in high demand and are limited in number, it becomes necessary for rules to be enforced in order to allow more individuals an opportunity to access the technology.

Please review the policies below related to each 3D Printing device type. Failure to observe these policies may result in immediate loss of access to the 3D printers at the GSD, or to the Fabrication Lab.

• Self-Serve Dremel Printer Policies
• Full-Serve Objet Printer Policies

Self-Serve Dremel Printers

General Policies

• users may not print under other users’ account
• users may not print files for a project that is not their own
• users may not send builds longer than 48 hours
• users may not cancel prints that are not their own
• Following First-Come, First-Serve policies of the Lab: The individual present at the printer itself is the “first person,” not an individual who may have sent their job to print remotely. Users must be present and print jobs from the 3D Printer Room.
• You must use a Dremel plate to print
• Only unmodified PLA filaments from these brands (Hatchbox, Overture, Dremel, Bambu, Polymaker) are permitted for use with the Dremel devices. While colored PLA is acceptable, PLA with additives such as metals, carbon fiber, wood, or other undisclosed components must first be approved by staff.
  • Supply Lab staff with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer for the desired material. Emissions from modified PLA have not been sufficiently evaluated to determine the potential impact on health and safety.
  • If approved, the student will be directed to the printers specially placed for experimental PLA located in room L40 in the basement
• Only the owner and the TAs can remove finished prints from the machines
• Failure to follow these policies may result in canceled prints and loss of access at Lab Staff’s Discretion

End of the Semester Policies

In addition to the General Policies above, additional policies are in effect during the end of semesters (midterms and finals) to guarantee equitable opportunities for the usage of the equipment.

• users will be allowed only to print on one machine at a time
• builds that fail after 6 hours are considered ‘complete’
• users may not print successively on the same printer
• users have 30 minutes from the time staff pauses a failed build to address it, this will usually be accompanied by an email.
• Only the owner and the TAs can remove finished prints from the machines
• failure to follow these policies may result in canceled prints and loss of access at Lab Staff Discretion

Full-Serve Objet 260 Printer

Files submitted to the online queue may be rejected for the following reasons:

• file size exceeds 25mb
• part features and wall thickness are under recommended thickness
• part may be readily manufactured through another means
• print time is excessive (during finals print time is limited to 12 hours per build if demand is high additional total limits may be observed)
• jobs submitted by one user on another’s behalf

All submissions will be revised in the order of submission. All accepted estimates printed are at the user’s own risk. Users are responsible for the total cost of the parts and any required support material, regardless of the success of the part. Part costs will not be refunded nor parts reprinted.

Full-Serve Bambu X1 Printer

[These printers are currently in a trial phase during which time access is limited to Fabrication Lab Technical Assistants.]

Files submitted to the online queue may be rejected for the following reasons:

• the submitted file is not in “Bambu Studio” format
• the file shows any error in “Bambu Studio”
• part features and wall thickness are under recommended thickness
• part does not use more than one color or type of filament (we do not consider support material as a color)
• print time is excessive (during finals print time is limited to 12 hours per build if demand is high additional total limits may be observed)
• jobs submitted by one user on another’s behalf

All submissions will be revised in the order of submission. All accepted estimates printed are at the user’s own risk. Users are responsible for the total cost of the parts and any required support material, regardless of the success of the part. Part costs will not be refunded nor parts reprinted.

3D Printer Hours

While the Self-Serve 3D Printers are typically available whenever Gund Hall is open during the academic semesters, hours may be limited in the summer and between semesters. The Full-Serve Printers are TA-Operated and can be reserved using the FabJob App.

Check the Calendar to determine when Technical Assistants are on duty or whether the space is closed.

Need Help?

Contact a 3D Printer Technical Assistant by email at [email protected] or visit us in Gund L40 or adjacent to the Gund 3rd Floor South Printing Room during the office hours listed on the Calendar.

Reserve the 3D Printer

Please use the FabJob App to reserve the multi-material 3D printers.