3D Printing

Submit a 3D Printing Request

Acceptable File Types

• STL
• OBJ
• STEP

Staff provide one-on-one consultations, class visits, tours, and workshops. Walk-ins are welcome, but staff may be helping other patrons. Video calls are available upon request.

Need Assistance

Make a 3D printing appointment

You may also stop by or call if you have any questions, 413-545-6258.

We provide our campus and affiliates with onsite access to 3D printing, 3D modeling, and 3D scanning technologies. Staff are available to assist with exploring the technologies and learning opportunities that range from one-on-sessions to workshops.

• UMass affiliates are eligible to request 3D printing services (printing, 3D scanning, and learning opportunities). For the purposes of this policy this includes:
  • Active UMass members: students, faculty, researchers, and staff
  • Massachusetts Public Libraries
    • Note: Individual Massachusetts public library members are not approved affiliates.
  •  Massachusetts K-12 public schools
  • Five Colleges academic members (including those who are not currently taking UMass courses)
• Non-affiliates may request consultations related to technologies such as 3D printing, 3D scanning, and 3D modeling.

The Digital Media Lab’s has fourteen 3D printers and two 3D scanners. Our printers use the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process of laying down successive layers of plastic filament to create an object.

3D Printers

• Ten Bambu Lab H2D Pros
• Two Bambu Labs X1C
• One Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro
• One Elegoo Neptune Max

These printers allow our service to print with a variety of colors and materials. See the materials list below.

Next year, we’ll purchase several Prusa Core One L with INDX which will allow our service to print up to 8 colors per part and a broader range of multi-material parts.

• PLA : $0.15/gram
• ABS : $0.15/gram
• PETG $0.15/gram
• TPU: $0.15/gram
• Polycarbonate (PC): $0.30/gram
• Nylon: $0.30/gram
• Nylon with Carbon Fiber (available soon, price is to be determined)

PDF for materials and pricing details

Payment

Acceptable payment types are:

• No cash, no 3rd party debit cards, and no credit cards
• UCard Debit – Add funds to UCard Debit
• UMass Guest Card
• Department Copy and Print Card

Download it

Find shared 3D models using 3D model repositories. Shared models can be free or require payment.

• printables.com
• thingiverse.com
• makerworld.com
• yeggi.com – 3D model search engine

Note: Shared models usually have a Creative Commons license applied to them which can limit what you can do with them, i.e. modify them, sell them, etc.

Scan it

Scan real world objects, even yourself, to 3D print. Scan times normally take 5-20 minutes per object. See staff about scanning possibilities as not all objects are scannable.

Create it

Make your own, modify a shared 3D model, or learn how to 3D model from our staff.

Staff can assist you in finding the right application to meet your project needs. You can make an appointment for a 3D printing consultation, or you may also stop by or call us at 413-545-6258.

Prefer to Learn on Your Own?

UMass Amherst provides access to LinkedIn Learning, a video tutorial site, for professional software applications and soft skills.

1. UMass Amherst academic requests will be prioritized over all other requests.
2. Print quality or functionality is not guaranteed.
3. Print requests will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
4. Library staff reserves the right to change the print queue as needed, and the Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
5. Printed items are to be picked up within 14 days. Prints will be forfeited after that time.
6. Only designated Library staff have hands-on access to the 3D printers.
7. 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 posing 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
   4. In violation of intellectual property rights