3D Printing

1. Create your own 3D design.
   • Blender is installed on all computers or use your favourite 3D software
      
2. Don't know how to create a 3D object?
   • choose an object from a free open source website such as Thingiverse or YouMagine.
   • Make sure to save or choose the .STL file format.
      
3. Use the Cura software (found on all LNMC computers or download the free software to your own computer) to scale, rotate, and/or resize your file.  
   • Print size cannot exceed the build plate size of 22 x 22 x 20 cm (220 x 220 x 200 mm)
   • Take note of the dimensions (in millimetres) of your print. You will need this for the request form.
   •  Cura will give an estimated length of time to print the object.
   • Print time should not exceed 5 hours
   • Print jobs cannot be printed after hours
   • Note that we cannot print in the colour you want. We cannot change the colour mid-spool. Once a colour spool is installed, it remains on the printer until it is finished. With the number of print requests, it would take too much time to change the colours for every print job.
      
4. Once your object is ready for printing, fill out the online print request form and attach your file.
    
5. Once you've submitted the form, you will receive an email with the details and a ticket number. Retain this email, you will need it to pick up your print job.  
    
6. Print jobs will not be released without proof of identification (student/staff card and print job number)
    
7. Timelines for printing will depend on the demand for the printer. Size and resolution of the print job will impact printing time, so plan your print accordingly. Other issues that factor into printing are troubleshooting, maintenance, and size of print job.
    
8. Limit your submissions to a maximum of 5 at a time (course-related requests excepted).
   • If we receive more than 5 requests from one person at a time, we will hold the rest until the first 5 are printed and picked up, then we will process up to the next 5, etc.

If you have further questions about printing, please consult our FAQs below.  If your question is not answered there, feel free to send us an email at lyons.newmedia@gmail.com with your questions.

If the webform doesn't work for some reason, or if your file is too large, please download the offline form (Word document), fill it out, then email it and your STL file to lyons.newmedia@gmail.com

There are a few things to keep in mind as you design or look for a good object to print. Not all designs that you find on websites will work or are made for the Ultimaker printer. A 3D printer lays down filament from the bottom and works its way up, layer by layer.  Look at the object you are wishing to print  to assess whether it will print properly. Check the FAQs if you're not sure.

The PLA is not a food grade plastic and is porous. Anything that is to be used for food or drink can be printed for a prototype, but should never be used for consumption.

We will print most things for you but there are a few things that we will not print, as this is an academic space.

• We will not print anything that is or looks like:
  • a weapon or parts of a weapon
  • a sex toy - we aren't prudes, but just think what this material is made from (it is a porous material)
• This service is for printing objects for academic or personal use.
• Lyons New Media Centre is not a production line or manufacturing company. Requests for the same item in larger quantities will be questioned and/or denied.
• Be aware that some 3D models available for download online are subject to copyright and/or creative commons licensing. 

All print jobs will be viewed by Lyons staff and as such, staff reserve the right to question and/or decline any print request.

3D printing is the process of creating physical objects from a three dimensional digital model. This technology has been around for awhile, but typically used by engineers and industry designers. 3D printing technology is quickly evolving and therefore public printing is becoming more common.

Cura is the software developed by Ultimaker to make 3D printing as easy and streamlined as possible. It includes everything you need to prepare a 3D file for printing and to print it. This software converts the .stl files into .gcode (which is what the printer reads).

Printing a 3D object is not the same as printing something on paper and is not an immediate process. As a 3D print starts with a bottom layer and works its way up layer by layer, an average object can take between 4-5 hours to complete. Loading a 3D object file into Cura will give an estimated printing time based on the size of the object.

Beyond this, it is difficult to estimate a time due to a number of factors:

• number of requests in the queue
• number of prioritized requests in the queue
• processing time
• size of individual print jobs
• hours the Centre is open (we cannot print outside of regular hours)
• unforeseen technical issues and repairs

You can always email Lyons (lyons.newmedia@gmail.com) about your request. While an estimated time cannot be given, you may find out how large the backlog is at the current time.

Your request submission is placed in the processing queue. When your request reaches the top of the queue, staff will open the .STL file in Cura to examine the object. Staff look at different criteria including, but not limited to:

• requested size of object
• the printing time required for that sized object
• the type of object
• whether or not it is a viable print (does it have a solid base to build from or is it rounded on all edges; does it have any 'overhang' that would necessitate printing with support structures, etc.); if there are any issues with the request, staff will contact you via email for clarification or to deny the object if it's just not a viable object for printing. If there are no issues, the request goes into the printing queue.

Once in the printing queue, it's just a matter of getting to your print request in sequence and making the print attempt. Should it fail, you will be notified via email of the failure and what happened. At that point, you can choose to submit another request for a different object, if you wish.

It the print job succeeds, you will be notified via email that it is ready for pick up. You will be asked to bring your valid McMaster ID card with you. 

Due to the large number of print requests that we receive, we cannot hold onto a finished object indefinitely.  You will receive an email once your print job is complete with a deadline date for pick up (typically a month). Staff will send out a reminder email if the object has not been picked up in a few weeks time with a final date.

If an object has not been picked up by the deadline, we will recycle the object.

We cannot change the colour mid-spool.  Once a colour spool is installed, it remains on the printer until it is finished.  With the number of print requests, it would take too much time to change the colours for every print job.

• The object needs a large enough base so it does not fall over part way through printing.
• Are there any "overhangs" or pieces that stick out? Things like arms that stick out and hang from the main area may not print. Make sure that there is a support for this section. The printer can't print something in mid-air.
• Some designs may have too much detail for the printer to print well.
• If the design is too stringy or thin, it will not print correctly.

• Our printer uses PLA only. Some designs are made for other materials.
• PLA is a biodegradable polymer derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, and does not produce UFCs (Ultrafine Particles)

• Printing time depends on a variety of factors: the object, how large it is, how intricate the design, amount of infill used, etc.
• For all prints - time should not exceed 5 hours
• We cannot print outside of our business hours
• Download Cura (it's free!) and load your file in it to see how long the print job will take

• We will print up to 5 object requests from one person at a time; if we receive more than this, we will hold onto the subsequent requests until the first 5 are printed and picked up, and so on.
• Exception: course-related print jobs are not limited in this manner.