Skip to Main Content

JCU logoLibrary Guides

Makerspace: 3D Printing

3D Printing at JCU Library

3D PRINTING AT JCU 

Please note:

  • STL files must be checked for errors and converted ( 'sliced' ) into g-code using software such as PrusaSlicer or Slic3r.
  • The G-code file tells the printer how to actually print the model. Library staff will normally do this unless you specify that you want to create the g-code yourself. In which case you will need to upload the G-Code file in place of the STL file in the file upload section of the form.

How does the 3D print process work? 

  • Once you have submitted the file via the Request form, library staff will go through and slice the file to find out how to how long the file will take.
  • Staff will email you with a quote to advise how long the print will take and the cost involved in accordance to the pricing on our website. 
  • Once you agree to the costs the request is added to our queue, please note that this can take up to a week or more to print depending on demand at the time. 
  • Once the job has been completed you will be advised over email that you are able to collect the request and pay for it. Please note we do not accept prepayment on files that have not been completed. 

More Information

WHAT IS 3D PRINTING?

  • 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing.
  • Unlike traditional manufacturing methods, additive manufacturing doesn’t cut away or deform material to form the desired shape.
  • Rather they build objects by adding material in layers. 3D printers heat plastic filament then extrude it to form multiple layers of plastic

WHAT ARE 3D MODELS? 

  • 3D printable models are created by computer-aided design (CAD) applications such as TinkerCAD, Blender etc.
  • These 3D modeling applications produce STL (Standard Triangle Language or Standard Tessellation Language) files.
  • These files are then imported into slicing software e.g. PrusaSlicer, Cura etc.. and exported as a G-Code file (Geometric code) which 3D printer can use to direct itself on how to print the file. 

Pricing & Payments

Upon receipt of a print request, a quote will be supplied based on the estimated time required to complete the print.

  • The minimum charge is $5, which covers any print job taking up to 5 hours to complete.
  • Jobs over 5 hours duration will be costed at an additional $1.00 per hour.
  • Payment can be made in person at time of collection. The Library does not accept pre-payment for 3D print jobs.
  • Payment can be made by EFTPOS only. JCU Library does not accept Cash payments. 

Library and Information Services reserves the right to alter the charges for 3D printing as required.

You can source a variety of files (paid and free) to print on the 3D printer from;  

Thingiverse Printables.com Cults3D  My Mini Factory

You can also create your own files using software like;

TinkerCad Bender Cura Fusion 360

PLA Filament colours options at JCU Library Orange Natural (transparent) Red Yellow Green Pink Purple Silver Gold Dark Blue Black White

Please note filament colours are subject to campus availability.

PLA Filament colour options at JCU Library

Orange

Natural (transparent)

Red

Yellow

Green

Pink

Purple

Silver

Gold

Dark Blue

Black 

White

What is infill?

The main purpose of infill is to provide internal support for top layers, which would otherwise have to bridge over empty space. Infill also affects the speed of printing, structural strength, filament consumption, and even the look of the printed object. (Prusa Research, 2022)

What are supports? 

3D printers work by laying layer over layer of plastic to create a 3D object. Each new layer must be supported by the one beneath it. If part of your model starts in mid-air and is not supported by anything below, you need to add an additional support structure to ensure a successful print. (Prusa Research, 2022) 

Our 3D Printer

Prusa i3MK3s + MMU2s 3D printer

3D prints we've made

Articulated Snakes

Meet Belinda (white) and Balthazar (Black) Hissington our friendly articulated 3D printed snakes 

File Sourced from;

Bmarquez1997. (2019, April 11). Articulated Snake. Thingiverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3555628/files

Puzzle Cube

Check out our 3 colour puzzle cube.

File sourced from:

WildRoseBuilds. (2018, June 24). Puzzle Cube (easy print no support). Thingiverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2975065

Fidget Cube

Check out this fidget cube. Printed in one go, all we needed to do was take it off the plate and it was moving in no time.

File sourced from:

Mjdargen. (2021, October 10). Infinity Cube. Thingiverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4997903

3D Print Copyright information

Users of the 3D printing service must abide by all applicable Australian laws including: 

For more information:

We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where our staff and students, live, learn and work.Acknowledgement of Country

Creative Commons Licence
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License, unless otherwise noted. Content from this Guide should be attributed to James Cook University Library. This does not apply to images, third party material (seek permission from the original owner) or any logos or insignia belonging to JCU or other bodies, which remain All Rights Reserved.

.