3D Printing


3D printing is the process of making three dimensional (3D) solid objects from a digital file.

3D printing adds material, layer by layer, to make a final object.

You can design a 3D model using 3D modeling programs such as, SketchUp, 123D Design, 3D Slash, Photoshop CC and many more, or you can also use a 3D scanner to scan the physical object. There are applications available for 3D scanning – which does not require extra hardware, such as 123D Catch, Trnio, and Scann3D, or you can use free – ready to print models from websites such as Thingiverse and YouMagine.

3D Printer FAQs

Who can print?

Patrons with valid Chinook Regional Library cards are welcome to request their 3D print. Children and teens 15 years old and under, will need parental permission to request a print.

Which are the supported formats for 3D printing?

Swift Current Branch Library only supports .STL and .OBJ file formats.

How long does 3D printing take?

The time varies from 40 minutes to 24 hours depending on the size and complexity of the design. An average printing takes around 35-40 minutes and that time can be estimated prior to printing.

What is the cost of 3D printing?

The cost depends on the weight of the final printed object. We charge a base charge of $2.00 plus $0.25 per gram of the object. The cost can also be estimated before printing the actual object.

Which 3D printer and material the library is using? Which colours are available?

We have an Ultimaker 2+ 3D printer, build volume 223 x 223 x 205 mm.

It uses PLA – a bio-degradable type of thermoplastic that is manufactured out of plant-based resources such as corn or sugar cane. This makes PLA the most environmentally friendly filament type.

Available colours: Black, White, Baby Blue, Gray, Red, Green, Purple, Glow in dark Green, Pine Wood, Transparent, Golden, Pastel Yellow, Dark Gray (flexible), Copper Fill, Stone Fill (Terracotta), Bronze (ABS) .

We can only print one colour at a time.

Does a printing job ever fail?

There can be technical issues for the failure of a printing job. Other than that there can be issues with the 3D model design but altering the design appropriately can solve this problem.

Is there any restricted print?

The library has a right to refuse print requests such as sharp objects, weapons, keys.

How do I submit a file for 3D printing?

You can email your 3D print job as .STL or .OBJ file attachment or the link to the file’s location online at Thingiverse.com or other file sharing resources to sc@chinook.lib.sk.ca. We will contact you with the estimated time it will take, and then you can pick it up at the Swift Current Branch Library when it is ready.