3D printing is the process of adding material layer by layer to build up a 3-dimensional object. There are two types of 3D printers at the library: fused filament fabrication printers, and resin printers. FFF printers work by melting and extruding a thermoplastic filament. Resin printers work by curing a liquid photosensitive resin layer by layer. Both types of printers have their own pros and cons. Below you can learn more about each type of process.
To submit a 3D print to MakeAtState, you will need to save your file as an STL file. When you submit your STL file, we will ask for the dimensions of your object which is necessary for correctly importing your file. STL files do not hold the unit of measurement, so sometimes our programs might import the object at the wrong unit (for example, importing in mm instead of cm.)
If you need to preview your STL file, you can do so using a program or a web based viewer. For windows, we recommend 3DBuilder. For mac computers, there are several different options.
Our FFF printers have the widest range of colors and materials. The most commonly used material is PLA, a bioplastic made from renewable resources. PLA has the widest range of color options and is suitable for most uses. For load bearing parts or functional engineering prototypes, PETG or ASA may be needed. We also print with TPU, a flexible filament with a shore hardness of 95A. However, there are many factors involved with flexible filaments so our staff may need additional info when processing TPU prints.
Our only color currently available for resin printing is grey. We only have one type of resin that we offer, but despite these limited options, resin can print extremely small and detailed features. Resin is best for small objects, larger objects will need to be hollowed in order to print successfully. Resin is very easy to paint with acrylic or enamel paint, making it ideal for things such as table top game miniatures. Because the layers are so much smaller than FFF printing, resin prints are more water tight. Please note that isopropyl alcohol or other strong solvents will degrade resin, for the most chemically resistant object, choose PETG.