TFDL Makerspace Training

This page provides information about the 3D Print Service in the Taylor Family Digital Library.  Please read this carefully before submitting your job. 

What equipment and materials do we use?

We use a Prusa MK3S. The printer uses a recyclable bioplastic called PLA.  PLA filament does not contain BPA or cause air quality degradation.  We will not print in ABS.

Who is eligible to 3D Print?

The TFDL 3D print service is available to people with a @ucalgary.ca e-mail address.  We prioritize academic prints.  We also reserve the right to refuse any print request at our discretion.

What size of object is eligible to print?

We limit our prints to 200g.  The maximum build dimensions are 210 x 210 x 200 mm.  Very complex or fine detail models are printed at our discretion.

How much does it cost?

$0.25 per gram + a $1.00 set up fee.

What is the process for a 3D print?

Once you have verified the model is watertight and has no anomalies, Save the model as a .stl file and submit it here. Once we receive the model, we will use our slicing software to estimate the cost and check the model for possible print issues.  After receiving the estimate, you must approve (or deny) the print.  Once approved, the model goes into the print queue and is printed as time allows.  After the print is finished, an invoice is emailed and the print is taken to the first floor TFDL service desk to await pickup.

3D Printing Policies

1. The library's 3D printers may only be used for lawful academic purposes. No one is permitted to create material that is:
   • For commercial purposes
   • Prohibited by local, provincial, or federal law.
   • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others.
   • In violation of another's intellectual property rights. For example, you cannot reproduce material subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.
2. The library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
3. The library cannot guarantee model quality or stability, nor confidentiality of designs. The user is responsible for removing rafts and supports.
4. Prints must be picked up by the individual who submitted them, using valid ID, at the first floor service desk in the TFDL. Prints not picked up within 30 days after being printed become the property of the Library.
5. We prioritize our prints using many different factors.  These include academic priority, time to print, color, number of other prints in the queue, and staff workload.  We alter the queue order based on these factors. We make no guarantee of turnaround time on prints, and will not provide any ETA on completion or any information on your place in the queue.
6. While we want all prints to be successful, our staff do not have the resources to create models upon request. Users are responsible for the quality of the submitted model.

Where can I get help?

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the Digital Media Commons staff at dmc@ucalgary.ca.

Submit a print using our online form. Our staff will be in touch to discuss any problems with your model and to provide a cost estimate. Once an estimate is provided, you will be asked to approve your job before it is printed.

We are experiencing intermittent issues with the online form. If you experience an error, please contact us with your name, the time you tried to submit the form, and your IP address if possible. Thank you!

Your library account will be billed for your print cost. Once you pay the fee via our online system, prints will be available for pickup at the Taylor Family Digital Library main service desk, during library open hours. Rush orders will not be accommodated.