3D Printing Devices

Dremel 3D45 PLA Plastic Filament Printer

The Dremels are the most used 3D printers at the GSD, available 24/7 during the academic semesters in significant quantity to allow a number of individuals access at the same time.

Please consult the tutorial for preparing the files and making use of the self-serve Dremel printers.

Slicing profiles facilitate printing quick study models, solid parts for use in forming and other fabrication techniques, as well as detailed parts for final model entourage, furnishings and fixtures.

Individuals can elect to use either the devices pre-loaded with white PLA filament (material cost billed to the user) or to provide their own PLA filament in a range of colors and finishes.

Specifications

• Minimum Recommended Thickness: 2 mm
• Maximum Build Envelope: 10 x 6 x 6.7in
• Horizontal Layer Resolution: variable (50-300 microns)
• All jobs must be sent through 3D Printer OS, local printing is not permitted
• Users supply filament for own use (1.75 mm un-modified PLA filament only) or can print in white PLA using one of the “Billable” devices in Gund Studio.
• Users must provide their own build tray (available for purchase online and from the Lab Store).
• Users are billed only for material used in the “Billable” devices ($0.033 / gram).
• Located in Gund Studio: third-floor tray South, and 485 Broadway workroom, 224

Objet 260 Polyjet Multi-Material UV-Cured Resin Printer

The Objet is capable of high detail and geometries that are impossible to create with any other method of printing. The trade-off is that post-processing can be time consuming and difficult, and printing is significantly more expensive than other processes. The Objet is unable to print overhangs of any angle without support material. It is also important to note that tall thin pillars and walls have difficulty printing because of mechanical resonances within the machine.

One of the things that sets the Objet printer apart from other processes is its ability to dither (or mix) materials at a fine-grained level to produce intermediary working properties, also called “Digital Materials”. If you are interested in using digital materials, come talk to us and examine samples before submitting so that you can properly denote the desired material mixtures in the submission. We make available only white, black, and transparent materials, so only parts within the grayscale color family are supported at the GSD.

Given the many options and considerations involved, we encourage you to come talk to us as soon as you have an idea that may make sense for the Objet, so that we can walk you through the design process.

Please read the tutorial to understand how to prepare files for printing in multiple colors.

This machine is run by Fabrication Lab Technical Assistants (TAs) only. You provide only an STL file when you submit the job using the FabJob App. TAs will review your file and either approve it or send it back with notes toward fixing the file. After your submission is approved, you will receive a message containing the cost estimate and time needed to complete the job. You must then approve the cost and timeline before we will proceed to schedule and print the part(s). Only approved and scheduled jobs will be printed.  

Specifications

• Minimum Recommended Thickness: 0.030″
• Maximum Build Envelope: 10″ x 9.9″ x 7.9″
• Horizontal Layer Resolution: 0.0006″
• Files over 25 MB must be reduced in size, or printed as multiple parts. STL files uploaded to online queue are reviewed by Lab TAs, cost and time estimates provided before printing begins.
• UV-Cured Resins: Rigid White, Rigid Clear, or Flexible Black, in side-by-side combination and/or mixture “Digital Material”.
• In addition to material cost, users are also billed for support material ($0.25 and $0.10 / gram, respectively).
• TA-Operated, Located in Gund L40C

Bambu X1 Carbon PLA Plastic Filament Printer

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

The GSD has two Bambu X1 Carbon 3D printers that are setup to print PLA filament in up to four colors. Please read the tutorial in full to understand the Bambu’s capabilities and operability.  

While the GSD’s Objet 260 (resin printer) can print in grayscale at very high resolution (as well as mixed durometer and transparent materials), the Bambu printers can print in colors besides grayscale and at a lower cost than the Objet while still achieving impressive resolution.

Because they are limited in availability, the GSD’s Bambu printers are only for multi-color prints. (Single-color parts should make use of the self-serve Dremel 3D printers.)

These machines are run by Fabrication Lab Technical Assistants (TAs) only. You will slice your model in Bambu Studio, creating a .3MF file. You will then attach this file when you submit the job using the FabJob App. TAs will review your file and either approve it or send it back with notes toward fixing the file. After your submission is approved, you will receive a message containing the cost estimate and time needed to complete the job. You must then approve the cost and timeline before we will proceed to schedule and print the part(s). Only approved and scheduled jobs will be printed.  

Specifications

• Minimum Recommended Thickness: 1.2mm
• Maximum Build Envelope: 256mm L x 256mm W x 256mm H
• Up to four colors per print
• Files over 25 MB must be reduced in size or printed as multiple parts. 3MF files uploaded to online queue are reviewed by Lab TAs, cost and time estimates provided before printing begins.
• PLA Filament: Many color options, see the swatches in Gund L40C.
• PLA and PVA Support Filament Options.
• In addition to material cost, users are also billed for support material ($0.033 / gram).
• TA-Operated, located in Gund L40C

SEAS 3D Printing Core

[Extension of service to these printers is currently in a trial phase during which time access is limited to Fabrication Lab Technical Assistants.]

The 3D Printing Core at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) makes available a larger range of material and 3D printing methods. See their list of devices, material options, and maximum dimensions for more information.

Within the FabJob App, the material options are made available as:

• Single Material:
  • A single resin for the entire part, described within a single STL file.
  • (Vero Clear, Vero White, Durus ABS, Elastico, Visijet Clear, SLA High-Temp, SLS Nylon, Onyx)
• Digital Material:
  • A blend of multiple resins for the entire part, described within a single STL or 3MF file.
  • (Vero Ultra: If material color is not applied to the object(s) in a 3MF file, specify a single color code (letter(s) and number) to be applied to the part in notes and file name)
• Multi-Material:
  • A part assembled of multiple components, each with a unique resin. Individual components can also be a Digital Material (blend).
  • (Vero Clear, Vero White, and Vero Ultra: If material color is not applied to the object(s) in a 3MF file, specify individual colors and color blends for each component in notes and file names)
  • (Durus ABS and Elastico: specify resin type for each component in notes and file names)
  • Up to 10 components (contact Lab Staff if you need more in one job request).

Physical swatches of the range of Polyjet Vero color options can be viewed in Gund L40B.  If material color is not applied to objects in the 3MF file, a color code (letter(s) and number) should be included in the Notes submitted to the App and in the associated file name. Also indicated a desired finish (Matte or Glossy) and core color (White or Surface Color). Talk to a 3D Printing TA if you have any questions about these options.

Specifications

• Files over 25 MB must be reduced in size or printed as multiple parts. 3MF or STL files uploaded to online queue are reviewed by Lab TAs, cost and time estimates provided before printing begins.
• In addition to material cost, users are also billed for support material and some amount of operations overhead.
• SEAS Staff-Operated, located in the Science and Engineering Complex (SEC) in Allston. Completed parts must be picked-up in-person from the SEC.

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.

View the 3D Printing Room Front Camera, Gund 3rd floor

View the 3D Printing Room Front Camera, Gund 3rd floor

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.