Resin 3D Printing

Thanks to support from Black & Veatch, we provide the materials needed for resin 3D printing at no cost.

The manufacturers PDFs for set up and use of the Formlab Form 3 can be found here.

Once you have reserved your time on the printer, the only thing you need to bring with you is the file for the 3D model you wish to print. We recommend .stl or .obj file types that are smaller than 10mb in size. You can bring your file on a storage device or access it via cloud storage or URL. 

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. 

1. Download free Formlabs Preform app
2. In “Job Setup”, select Form 3 as your printer type
3. Choose Grey V4 as your material 
4. Open .stl or .obj file 
5. Use One Click Print to generate optimized orientation and supports 
6. 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.

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. 

If you are not able to stay for your completed print you can retrieve your completed 3D prints from the holds shelf. Prints will be held on the holds shelf for 10 days after which they are discarded.

The Ultimaker S5 uses Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), also known as Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). In FDM, a strand of material (in this case thermoplastic) is deposited in layers to create a 3D printed object. During printing, the plastic filament is fed through a hot extruder where the plastic gets soft enough that it can be precisely placed by the print head. The melted filament is then deposited layer by layer in the print area to build the workpiece.  

The Formlabs Form 3 uses Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA), or simply stereolithography. Like FDM, SLA is an additive method: Models are built layer by layer. SLA, however, uses a curable photopolymer – typically a liquid resin – that is hardened by applying focused light or UV light (this process is called curing). SLA printers usually build the models upside-down, that is, the build platform lifts the model upwards, out of the resin bath. 

Learn more about resin vs filament 3D printing. 

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 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

• Printables  
• Thingiverse 

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.