3D Printing at Steele Memorial Library

The 3D Printer located at the Steele Memorial Library in Mount Olive is available to patrons.  Printing is conducted by library staff.  Staff will consult with individuals interested in using this technology to ensure the best quality of proposed print, to determine costs and to ensure that the proposed print meets the library’s 3D printing guidelines.  Please read the guidelines and procedures below before submitting your printing request.

Guidelines

  • 3D printing technology may be used only for lawful purposes. No one will be permitted to create material that is:
    • Prohibited by State or Federal law
    • Unsafe, harmful or dangerous (determined by library staff)
    • Obscene or inappropriate for library environment
    • In violation of intellectual property rights (i.e. material that is subject to patent, copyright or trademark protection)
    • Disruptive to other library patrons
  • Wayne County Public Library and library staff are not responsible for any object created with the use of the 3D printer, including any harm or injury incurred from the object which is printed.
  • All other library policies apply when using the library’s 3D printer or printing services, including policies addressing user behavior, acceptable use, copyright, intellectual freedom and user privacy.
  • The library’s 3D printing services are designated for personal use; mass production for sales for individual financial gain is prohibited.
  • Library staff reserve the right to refuse any 3D printing request for any reason.
  • Proposed prints will be completed based upon staff availability and are not to exceed 6 hours of print time. Prints that have multiple parts that can be printed separately may exceed 6 hours of print time ONLY if each part does not require more than 6 hours to print.
  • 3D prints will be completed after the initial request in the order in which they are received.
  • Print jobs are measured in size by grams and are calculated by CURA software.
  • The cost of a print job is $ 0.15 per gram and must be paid before submission of the job.
  • If a 3D print fails, the user may request a reprint or a 3D printing voucher. Refunds cannot be issued.
  • If staff feels that the print will fail, they will stop the print and a 3D printing voucher will be issued.
  • Library staff cannot guarantee the build quality/stability of any 3D printed item. Library staff will discuss possible printing issues at the time of request and contact the requestor about any printing issues that become apparent during set-up and printing, but it is the responsibility of the requester to make changes accordingly to proposed print designs.
  • Library staff recommendations for print structures (e.g., support types, rafts, infill) are based on best practices and previous machine performance. These recommendations do not guarantee success for each individual print. Requesters reserve the right to accept or refuse print structure recommendations; library staff are not liable for success or failure of print structures.
  • The designated library staff member is here to help you with your 3D printing. The library will try to print quality objects for submitted files, but we cannot guarantee the quality of the print. If you need an exact print, you will need to seek out a commercial 3D printer.
  • Wayne County Public Library currently utilize PLA-filament printers only. For resin, alloy or other materials, library staff recommend you seek out a commercial 3D printer.

Procedures

Please review the following list before submitting a request:

  • Patron’s account is in good standing.
  • Patron has consulted with designated staff about proposed designs.
  • Submitting a design for printing:
    • To use the 3D printer, bring a file (in formats similar to .stl, .obj, or .thing) (no larger than 25MB) to Library locations with 3D printers during open hours.
    • Staff will calculate the cost and accept payment of the job.
    • The files will be readied for printing and staff will view all files in authorized software before printing.
    • Staff will add the print job to the printing queue.
    • All print jobs are subject to a wait time based on currently scheduled users and size of print jobs. High demand may require one print/day/person limits.
    • Due to the difficulty of determining exact print times, staff can only provide an educated guess about the length of a job.
  • Items that are not picked up within 7 days will become property of the Library. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them. Any requestor that does not pick up their print may forfeit future use of the 3D printer.
  • Size of item is limited by machine size.
  • Only one print item may be submitted per week.
  • Patron must clean their own rafts and supports.
  • Color choices will vary depending on supply.  Only one color will be printed for each item.
  • All printing will be conducted by designated library staff.
  • The Library cannot guarantee that the 3D printer will always run uninterrupted and trouble-free.

**These Terms of Use governing the 3D printers are subject to change.**

3D Print Request Form