3D Printer

The opportunities are endless with the library’s 3D printer. From making toys to replacing plastic parts, there is so much you can create! To get started read through our 3D Printer Policies. In the Procedures section you will learn how you can create or find a project to print and how to submit. It costs $0.25 per fifteen (15) minutes of print time. The charge will be rounded down to the nearest fifteen (15) minute increment. Prices may be adjusted to reflect a high filament cost. Half the estimated cost is due prior to printing, with the remainder due when the complete project is picked up. Except in the case of printer error, deposits will be kept for failed prints.

14.0 STILLWATER COUNTY 3D PRINTER POLICY

In the interest of offering the community access to new and emerging technologies, Stillwater County Library will provide 3D printing as a staff-mediated service.

14.0 GUIDELINES

• Stillwater County Library’s 3D printer is available to all patrons with a valid Stillwater County Library card in good standing to create physical objects based on digital files. The Library 3D printer is for hobbyist, non-commercial projects only. The digital files can be designs a patron has created or designs the patron has obtained from another source and has permission to use.
• Stillwater County Library’s 3D printers may be utilized for lawful purposes only. Patrons shall not be permitted to use the 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;
  • Obscene or otherwise inappropriate; or
  • In violation of another’s intellectual property rights.
  • In violation of copyright infringement.
• Stillwater County Library reserves the right to refuse a 3D print request.
• The print must fit into the build space of the machine.
• The library most commonly stocks PLA filament, a non-toxic corn-based product. Other filament types will be considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on cost, patron interest, and availability.
• Staff is unable to provide instruction on designing and/or saving objects as .stl or .obj files.
• Only designated staff will have “hands-on” access to operate the 3D printer.
• Items not retrieved within seven (7) days will be deemed abandoned and the cost of the item will be billed to the patron’s account.
• Stillwater County Library is not liable for any malfunctions or misprints.
• Procedures governing the use of Stillwater County Library’s 3D printer is subject to change at any time.

14.1 PROCEDURES

1. Design creation
   1. Any 3D drafting software, such as the free https://www.tinkercad.com/, may be used to create a design; however, the file must be saved as a .stl or .obj file format in order to complete a print job.
   1. Digital designs are also available from various file-sharing databases such as  https://www.thingiverse.com/.
2. Submitting a design for print
   1. Patrons may either submit their .stl or .obj files (no larger than 25 MB) to slibrary@stillwatercountylibrary.org or on a USB drive to the library circulation desk during regular operating hours. Files should include the patron’s name, phone number, and email address.
   1. Within three (3) business days, staff will review the file.
   1. If the file is acceptable, a staff member will contact the patron regarding the fees and filament colors available.
   1. Once the initial payment is received, the request will be added to the printing queue.
   1. Library staff will then convert the file to a printable format and start the print project.
   1. Patrons will be contacted by phone when their print is complete.

14.2 COST

The cost of printing is $0.25 per fifteen (15) minutes of print time. The charge will be rounded down to the nearest fifteen (15)-minute increment.

• Print prices may be adjusted to reflect a higher filament cost.
• Half the estimated cost is due prior to printing, with the remainder due when the completed project is picked up.
• Except in the case of printer error, deposits will be kept for failed prints.

14.3 CONFIDENTIALITY

The Library will maintain the confidentiality of users’ printing history in accordance with library policy; however, the prints themselves will occur within public view, and there is no guarantee of anonymity.