3D Printing

The Digital Media Lab’s 3D Innovation Center has 50 3D printers and three 3D scanners. Our printers use the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process of laying down successive layers of plastic filament which stick together to create an object.

Our 3D Print Services are available from 12-5pm Monday through Friday.

Getting Started

  • Download it: 3D model repositories, such as MakerBot’s thingiverse.com, host 3D print files for download, modify, and print.
  • Scan it: Scan real world objects, like yourself, to 3D print. Scan times can take 5-20 minutes. See staff about scanning possibilities as not all objects are scannable.
  • Create it: 3D model your parts or learn how to do that from one of our staff.

Our 3D Printers

We have 48 MakerBot 3D printers such as the replicator 5th Gen., Replicator Z 18 can produce parts with PLA, an organic plastic ideal for prototyping or simple objects.

Our service also has one Ultimaker S3 and 3 Extended that can produce parts with materials such as: PLA, ABS, PETG, CPE, Nylon, Polycarbonate, TPU 95A (flexible filament), and Polypropylene.

Materials & Pricing

  • PLA (Polylactic Acid): $0.15/gram, available in various colors
  • ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): $0.15/gram, available in various colors
  • Tough PLA: $0.15/gram, available in black & white
  • Co-polyester (CPE): $0.15/gram, available in light grey
  • Polypropylene (PP): $0.30/gram, available in translucent
  • TPU (95A, Thermoplastic Polyurethane): $0.30/gram, available in black, white, red, & blue
  • Polycarbonate (PC): $0.30/gram, available in black, white, & translucent
  • Nylon: $0.30/gram, available in black, white, & translucent
  • Breakaway: $0.30/gram, available in white

For more materials and pricing details, view our PDF.

3D Print Policy

  1. The Library 3D printers may be used only for lawful purposes. No one is permitted to use 3D printing to create material that is:
    1. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others.
    2. For example, no weapons (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 10(j))
    3. Firearms or dangerous weapons per UMPD Weapons Advisory
  2. In violation of intellectual property rights.
  3. Print requests will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
  4. The Library staff reserve the right to change the print queue as needed and the Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
  5. Print quality or functionality is not guaranteed.
  6. Printed items are to be picked up within 14 days.
  7. Only designated Library staff have hands-on access to the 3D printers.

3D Printing Request

Our staff can support your 3D printing, scanning, and modeling needs via one-on-one consultations, class visits, tours, and workshops.

Please fill out our form to make a 3D printing request.