3D Printing Has Returned

What HPL locations have 3D printers? 

Central Library and Turner Park, Terryberry, Red Hill, Valley Park, Waterdown, and Dundas Branches all have 3D printers available for our Members. Some locations like Central and Terryberry have multiple printers. At this time, the 3D printer is unavailable at the Waterdown Branch. Please check our website for updates

How much does 3D printing cost? 

We charge $0.10/gram of material used in the print, with a minimum of $1. Charges are calculated at the time of booking and paid before printing begins. Most prints are under $10. 

How does the process work? 

Bookings for the 3D printing appointments can be made online. Choose a location, day and time that works best for you, then show up on your confirmed appointment date with 3D files loaded on a USB drive and/or external hard drive. HPL Staff will help get you started with preparing your print and are able to offer detailed instructions to follow. If you need in-depth assistance, we suggest you book an appointment with one of our knowledgeable Staff. Staff will check over the prepared file and establish a price for the print (paid at the time of booking). Once ready, your print will go into the printing queue, and you will be contacted to pick it up when it's finished. This could be anywhere from a matter of hours to a few days, depending on the length of the queue and printing time.  

What file type does HPL require for 3D printing? 

While there are several different 3D file formats, we ask that your files be in the .stl format for printing. While we can attempt to load other file types, we can’t guarantee they will work.  

Where can I find 3D files to print? 

Sites such as www.thingiverse.com and www.printables.com are a great start to find free 3D files for printing. Browse by category or search for something specific to find what you’re looking for. Alternatively, design your own 3D files with sites like www.tinkercad.com for custom prints.  

What material is used for 3D printing? 

HPL uses PLA (polylactic acid) plastic with its 3D printers, which is a derivative of corn starch and safe to use in our Makerspace environments.  

Is there an email address I can send my 3D files to instead of arriving in person for my appointment? 

Our previous ‘take-out’ model with email submissions was implemented as part of HPL’s Covid-19 strategy and is no longer necessary. We have returned and updated to our original 3D printing process to reflect a learning and engaging environment for our Members.  

How long will it take to print my model? 

Printing time will vary depending on decisions made when preparing the model during your appointment. Things like the quality and resolution of the print, how solid the model will be, and whether printing supports are necessary – all these things will affect the printing time. 3D printing in general is not a fast process and most models will take at least a few hours to print.  

Is there a maximum amount I can print? 

Members are allowed twelve (12) hours of printing time per week. This can be one long session or multiple shorter sessions, if needed.  

What can I do if my print is longer than 12 hours? 

We understand there may be some prints that require a longer print time than HPL can offer. There are numerous print shops and services locally that offer commercial 3D printing if the Library cannot accommodate your needs.  

What colours are available? Can I print in more than one colour? 

We have a wide variety of colours, metallics, and shades to choose from. Colour options can be found on the HPL website. Unfortunately, we cannot print in multiple colours, but pieces can be printed separately with different colours if needed. PLA also takes to acrylic paint quite well, and objects can be painted for further customization.  
 
Please refer to HPL’s 3D Printing Guidelines for more details.