Online Order Form
3D Printing Guidelines
Pricing
We charge a $2.00 flat fee, plus $0.15 per gram of material used, including any support material.
Payment is due at the time of pickup. For a price estimate, please submit your file through our order form and indicate that you want a price estimate in the "additional information" section of the form.
Getting Started
- Explore thousands of 3D printable objects at Thingiverse.com and MyMiniFactory (free) or at Cults3D and Pinshape (some paid files). Download the file and send it to us via our online order form and we will be happy to print the design for you.
- If you want to make your own object, check out Tinkercad — a free, easy-to-learn online 3D design and modeling tool.
- If you want to try a more robust 3D modeling software, Meshmixer and Sketchup for browser are popular free programs with advanced capabilities.
Before you send a file to us to print, please read our 3D printing guidelines.
FAQ
How do I place a 3D printing order?
Fill out our online form and we will contact you as soon as your order is finished. Please send all questions and queries to didsburylibrary@prl.ab.ca or call 403-335-3142 to speak with one of our staff members. We will do our best to answer any questions you have.
What kind of 3D printer do you have?
We currently have a Prusa i3 MK3 printer, which features a 250 x 210 x 200mm print area and a 0.4mm nozzle diameter for fine detail.
How long does 3D printing take?
The length of time it takes to print an object depends on the size of the project. The printing process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to over 24 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the file. If there are technical difficulties with the file, that will also increase the time required.
If you would like to know how long your order will take to print, submit the file as normal and ask for a print time estimate in the "additional information" section of the submission form. We will get back to you with how long we expect the print to take. Wait times may vary so plan ahead.
What type of file formats do you accept?
Our printer accepts .stl and .obj formats. Please don't send image files (.jpg, .gif, .png, etc.) as these are incompatible with 3D printing software.
What kind of material do you use for printing?
We use PLA—a plant-based plastic filament. Please note that while chemical leech is unlikely with this filament, it is not considered completely food safe. Use discretion when using this material to store or prepare food.
Can I print more than one colour?
Our printer can only print objects in a single colour at a time, though you're more than welcome to spruce it up with a paint job! Ask a staff member for our current colour selection.