3D Resin Printing
About the Equipment
This 3D printer creates incredibly detailed objects using a special light-reactive material called resin. This 3D printer can print at a high resolution to produce extremely detailed objects. This printer is great for smaller projects which require a greater level of precision.
Reserve Equipment
- Reserve up to four hours per week
- Reserving more than one piece of equipment is not permitted
- Equipment that is not reserved is available for same day reservations
Using the Equipment
The Formlabs Form 3 has a print space of 5” x 5” x 7” and uses the slicing software PreForm.
Rules for Using the Resin 3D Printer
- You may reserve up to four hours per week
- You may not print overnight on the Resin 3D Printer.
- Some exceptions can be made for community projects, prosthetics, and similar projects. Ask the Makers how they can accommodate your project.
- Reserving more than one piece of equipment is not permitted
- Equipment that is not reserved is available for same day reservations
If you are utilizing the resin printer for the first time, we highly recommend utilizing the maximum reservation time of four hours. This allows time for our staff to walk you through finding/preparing a 3D model, setting up the software, and time for your model to print.
What's Provided
- The resin used in printing. This is provided for free thanks to Black & Veatch.
- Computers with 3D modeling software, such as Formlabs Preform.
What To Bring
- A 3D model to print! This can be an .stl or .obj file.
- You can bring your file on a storage device or access it via cloud storage or URL
- We recommend slicing your file with FormLabs Preform first to get an accurate estimate for your print time. See how in our FAQs.
- Enough time to print your model
Inspiration
From the Makers
Tutorials and Resources
Maker Tutorial: Resin Printer
Resin 3D Printing FAQs
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Resin printing can lead to some very detailed and impressive parts but there are some things that need to be checked before hitting the print button. The object to be printed needs to oriented to correctly to ensure printability and optimize surface finish. Please check out the model orientation article from Formlabs to learn how you can ensure a good print.
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Thanks to support from Black & Veatch, we provide the resin needed for 3d printing at no cost to patrons. The specific type of resin we utilize is a solid gray color and is a general prototyping resin that is extremely durable.
You cannot bring your own materials for 3D printing.
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We do not allow overnight printing on the Formlabs Form 3.
Some exceptions can be made for prosthetics, community projects, etc. Ask us about how we can accommodate your project.
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The best way to get an accurate estimate for print times before you come into the MakerSpace is to slice your file using Formlabs Preform.
- Download free Formlabs Preform app
- In “Job Setup”, select Form 3 as your printer type
- Choose Grey V4 as your material
- Open .stl or .obj file
- Use One Click Print to generate optimized orientation and supports
- A time estimate can then be found in the job info details
If you have questions about this process, come in during open hours or send your question here.
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The manufacturers PDFs for set up and use of the Formlab Form 3 can be found here.
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Thanks to support from Black & Veatch, we provide the materials needed for resin 3D printing at no cost.
3D Printing FAQs
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To ensure consistent and reliable prints, patrons are required to use the Cura slicer connected to our 3D printers. The use of our slicer software allows our staff to review and validate prints for safety, while also providing valuable learning opportunities for patrons on file preparation. By standardizing the slicing process, we can optimize printer settings, maintain quality control, and ensure a safe printing environment.
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Patrons are more than welcome to bring their 3D printer into the MakerSpace and utilize our tools to tinker and troubleshoot, but there is no guarantee that MakerSpace staff will be able to help you fix it.
In the past we have helped patrons with 3D printers experiencing poor print quality, and other common issues with extrusion, leveling, and delamination.
We recommend reaching out to us ahead of time here with details about the printer and the issue before bringing it in to the MakerSpace.
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Yes! We have an in-depth video tutorial for using our filament 3D printer created by our MakerSpace staff.
Manufacturer PDFs for set up and use can also be found here.
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Thanks to support from Black & Veatch, we provide the resin or filament needed for 3D printing at no cost to patrons.
You cannot bring your own materials for 3D printing.
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If you are wanting to get inspired with ideas and download files created by others in the 3D printing community, we recommend checking out the following sites.
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We have a few different types of 3D modeling software including access to Fusion 360 and Blender. We also highly recommend new users check-out TinkerCAD.
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A great way to get started 3D modeling is using a free web-based program like TinkerCAD, known for its simplicity and ease of use.
MakerSpace FAQs
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The Black & Veatch MakerSpace hours are slightly different than the Central Resource Library open hours. For up to date information about the MakerSpace, please visit the main MakerSpace page.
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The Black and Veatch MakerSpace is located at the Central Resource branch.
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You cannot create anything designed for or capable of causing harm, such as firearms, knives, swords, and other items that could be used to inflict injury or intimidate. If you’re unsure whether your project might fall under this rule, please ask a Maker staff member before starting. Library staff reserve the right to stop any print or job at their discretion if it is deemed unsafe, violates library policies, or is otherwise inappropriate.
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Questions? We're here for you.