3D Printing

Introduction

The Library is happy to provide you with a service of additive manufacturing (3D printing) using Ultimaker S3 and S5 devices. The Library offers this service in support of PolyFab, the Fab Lab of Polytechnique Montréal.

Please note that the 3D printing service can be subject to changes without any prior notice.

What is additive manufacturing?

From a three-dimensional model, pieces are gradually formed by stacking successive micro layers of material (ex. plastic or wax heated to a high temperature) using a high-precision nozzle controlled by computer. This process is similar to the operation of ink jet printers, hence the name of three-dimensional printing.

Why a 3D printer in the Library?

Along with many other academic libraries in the world, Library staff believes in the educational and social potential of this technology. Libraries offer physical spaces where people can get together to learn and share their knowledge. Since 3D printing makes it easy to produce a physical object from an abstract or computer model, the Library wants to make this technology available to the greatest number of users. This service should help to form a community of people working together to create and build.

Technical Specifications

The Library owns two Ultimaker S5 and S3 printers. They use both PLA (polylactic acid) and PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) plastic filament, the latter used for printing of support material. PVA will dissolve completely after being immersed in water for about 24 hours, which allows for printing of fine details and easy to remove support.

Ultimaker S5:

• Maximum printing size: 33.3 cm (13.1 ") width ✕ 24 cm (9.5 ") depth ✕ 30 cm (11.8 ") height
• Printing quality: low (0.3 mm per layer – quick printing of thick layers), standard (0.2 mm per layer – quick printing with a good quality surface), high (0.1 mm per layer – slow printing of thin layers)
• Available colours: black, white, blue, red, orange and translucent (only 1 colour per object to print)
• Technical specifications of the Ultimaker S5 Printer (PDF)

Ultimaker S3:

• Maximum printing size: 20 cm (7.9 ") width ✕ 19.2 cm (7.4 ") depth ✕ 23 cm (9 ") height
• Printing quality: low (0.3 mm per layer – quick printing of thick layers), standard (0.2 mm per layer – quick printing with a good quality surface), high (0.1 mm per layer – slow printing of thin layers)
• Available colours: black, white, blue, red, orange and translucent (only 1 colour per object to print)
• Technical specifications of the Ultimaker S3 Printer (PDF)

Resources

Consult the guide on 3D Printing created by Polytechnique Montréal Library.

Estimate the cost of your project:
Use the printing software for our printers. Import your STL file in the software, check its integrity and estimate the cost of a print from the projected weight in grams.

• Ultimaker Cura – available for Windows, MacOS X, and Linux

A few software suggestions:

• Autodesk Fusion 360 – free education license for students and teachers (available for Windows and MacOS X)
• OpenSCAD – open source parametric 3D modeler (available for Windows, MacOS X and Linux)
• Tinkercad – 3D modeling freeware (available online for Firefox and Chrome)
• Wings 3D – open source 3D modeler (available for Windows, MacOS X and Linux)

Contact Us

For information:
biblio-si@polymtl.ca