3D Printing

Whether you want to learn the basics of 3D printing and modeling, or are looking to print components for a grant funded lab project, the CPL is here to support your adventure.

3D printing on CPL machines is available through our request form as a remote service. Staff operate all equipment and are responsible for preparation of prints. Once we receive a 3D model and necessary details, your only additional responsibility is to pick up the completed print.

Our Bambu and Prusa printers operate by melting and depositing plastic filament in layers on a flat surface. These printers and this process is great for basic shape prototypes, solid objects, and experimentation. Most projects should choose PLA, a corn-based easy-print plastic. Small parts, details, text, and fine edges may be lost when printing using filament depositing methods, and we may suggest our Form3 for Saturn 4.

The Saturn 4 is our newest resin printer and utilizes an ultraviolet LCD panel to cure liquid resin for fast production and sharp detail capture. The Form3 is a liquid resin printer meant for professional prototyping, medical and dental applications, jewelry, and fine-art production. It uses a laser to harden liquid resin at micron scale. This process is slower and more expensive than filament printing, but can achieve projects not possible otherwise. Resin prints, even with UV curing, are harder but more brittle than plastic and should not be used directly under operational stress. They are perfect candidates for molding and casting.

None of our materials or processes should be considered food-safe.

Requests should be submitted as STL files, but STEP, OBJ, and 3MF are accepted. Prints take an average of 3-5 business days. Prints not picked up within 10 days of completion are subject to a fine on the patron's library account. Prints remaining after 30 days will be fined and the print recycled.

^To account for minimum resin material use to fill the flexvat reservoir for any project started, all SLA resin prints will have a base cost of $1.00 per item in addition to the volumetric measurement of the object printed.

Requests made by non-UNO community members as denoted by requests received from a non-UNO email will be charged an additional +$0.10 per unit for materials.

CPL Filament Stock

Our primary material for plastic-based printing is PLA (Polylactic Acid), a plastic derived from corn alcohol. Our chosen PLA formulation provides the most consistent outcomes and detail replication that balances mechanical strength and operational temperature range in an affordable package.

For speciality projects requiring additional rigidity, impact resistance, and higher temperature operations, we offer a limited stock of PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol). PETG prints at a higher temperature and can result in small surface layer imperfections versus PLA.

For projects that require a flexible material we offer a limited stock of TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane). TPU offers a semi-rigid rubber-like quality for use as a bumper, protective shell, or operation under tension.

CPL Resin Stock

Projects requesting gray resin will be printed on our Saturn 4 using Elegoo standard ABS-like resin.

All resin prints requesting clear resin will be printing on our Form 3 using Formlabs Clear Standard v4.

Given the popularity of sending in Heroforge figures for resin-printing, 30mm scale figures with a 1 inch base that utilize ~8mL of resin will be charged a flat starting rate of $3.50 per figurine. Larger sized units or extended elements requiring significant supports (as per Heroforge 2.0) will be charged per additional mL used. This will allow us to continue offering industry-grade prints at non-profit prices for all patrons interested in the process for personal use.

Start Your 3D Project

Take note of our policies for 3D printing.

Choose the file you want to have printed. Existing 3D models can be found online:

• MakerWorld: 3D models, projects, and tools from Bambu for free download and purchase.
• Thingiverse: This site offers free 3D models available for download.
• Printables: 3D model database from Prusa offering a wide array of options.
• Cults3d: a marketplace of high quality models and design for sale and sampling.
• MyMiniFactory: Model and project marketplace focusing on tabletop miniatures

Pick Up Your Completed 3D Print

Lab staff will contact you when the print is finished. 3D printed items can be picked up at the Circulation Desk in the library. In-person payments via cash, credit, or debit are accepted.

Create Your Own 3D Models

Policies for 3D Printing

The library's printers, and all other systems, may be used only for lawful purposes. Patrons will not be permitted to use the 3D printers to create material that is:

• Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
• Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others. (Such use may violate the terms of use of the manufacturer.)
• Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment.
• In violation of another's intellectual property rights. For example, the printers will not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.

Additionally:

• Patrons must comply with the University of Nebraska Memorandum 16: Policy for Responsible Use of University Computers and Information Systems.
• The library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
• Creative Production Lab services are not available for commissioned work and profit enterprises.
• Functionality, fitting, and finish will be the responsibility of the patron after the CPL presents a known-good, static object printed from a patron’s files.
• Prints not picked up within 30 days from notice of completion will have a fine placed on the patron account and the print will be recycled.