Library Guides: Makerspace: 3D Printing

Our 3D Printer

Prusa i3MK3s + MMU2s 3D printer

3D Printing at JCU Library

3D PRINTING AT JCU

3D Printing Request Form
JCU students, and staff can submit STL files for printing using the Library & Information Services 3D Printing Request Form.

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?

3D Printing in the Library
Click this link for more information on 3D printing at JCU Library.

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.

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:

3D Printing & Copyright
Click here to download a PDF information sheet for 3D printing and copyright from the Australian Copyright Council.

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.

JCU 3D printing process
Click here for a pdf version of the JCU 3D printing process.

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.

JCU 3D Print Request Form

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

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)