Question 1

What do I need for 3D printing?

Accepted Answer

A Lake County Public Library Full Access library card in good standing. Patrons under 14 must have an adult with a Full Access library card who agrees to pick up and pay for the print job.

An .stl, .obj, or .thing file or the link to the item on Thingiverse.com.

Question 2

How do I request a 3D print?

Accepted Answer

Send your 3D print request to lab@lcplin.org.

3D print requests must include the following information:
	1. First and Last Name:
	2. Phone 
	3. Library Card #
	4. Filament Color Choic
	5. Print Resolution Choice
	6. Amount of Infill Desired
	7. An .stl, .obj, or .thing file or the link to the item on Thingiverse.com
	8. Pick-up branch

Question 3

How much does it cost to make a 3D print?

Accepted Answer

The library charges $0.10/gram

Question 4

When do I pay for my print?

Accepted Answer

After you send in your request, you will receive an email letting you know how much the print will cost and asking for approval to charge your library account.

Once we receive approval, we will charge your account with the cost of the print.

Payment is due at time of pickup.

Charges of less than $5 must be paid in cash or by check at a LCPL branch.

Charges of $5 or more can be paid by card online.

Question 5

Will I have an opportunity to approve the cost of my print before it is processed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Library staff will notify you of the estimated cost of your print before it is printed.

You will need to approve this cost before the library will send the request to the printer.

Question 6

What are the specifications of the 3D printer?

Accepted Answer

The library has two 3D printers: the Dremel 3D45 and the BambuLab X1-Carbon.

Both have a single drive print head

The 3D45 can only use one filament at a time.

The X1-Carbon has an Automatic Material System to use up to four filaments at a time.

Both use 1.75mm filament

Both have a nozzle diameter 0.4mm

Heated glass bed (3D45)

Heated flex plate bed (X1-Carbon)

3D45 max build volume: 255 x 155 x 170mm (10" x 6" x 6.7")

x1-Carbon max build volume:256 x 256 x 256mm (10" x 10" x 10")

Question 7

Can I bring in my own filament?

Accepted Answer

No. The library does not allow patron-supplied filament.

Question 8

What types of filament does the library offer?

Accepted Answer

The library offers PLA, ECO-ABS, regular ABS, and PETG filaments.

Question 9

What color options are available?

Accepted Answer

ECO-ABS: black
ABS: black
PETG: translucent.
PLA: black, white, brown, gray, green, blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, silver, gold

Question 10

What is print resolution and what options are available?

Accepted Answer

3D prints are created layer by layer. Print resolution determines how thin or thick each layer is. Thin layers will create more polished looking prints, while thicker layers will be more noticeable.

The library offers:

Low Resolution (0.28mm)

Standard Resolution (0.2mm)

High Resolution (0.12mm)

Ultra Resolution (0.08mm)

Question 11

What is infill and what options are available?

Accepted Answer

The level of infill determines if the printed object will be hollow or solid. Certain 3D models will require minimum amount of infill in order to print correctly.

The options range from 0% to 100%, with 20% being our standard option. We currently do not offer gradual infill.

Question 12

Does the library have sample prints so I can see what each option looks like?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Each of our branches have 3D printed swatches for the colors available. You can also visit the Libratory during its open hours to see sample prints with different amounts of infill.

Question 13

Will I be charged for support materials if the library adds them?

Accepted Answer

Support materials will not be added without approval from the patron requesting the print.

Library staff will notify you if they believe your print will benefit from support materials. You will also be given an estimate of the cost with and without support materials for comparison.

If you approve the addition of support materials, you will be responsible for paying for the support materials in addition to the main print.

Question 14

How long does printing take?

Accepted Answer

Prints can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Print time depends on the size of the object, the amount of infill, and the print resolution.

To ensure fair access to the library's 3D printing services, prints with estimated print times longer than six hours will not be processed.

Question 15

Can I print in more than one color?﻿

Accepted Answer

Yes! If you would like to print a model with up to four colors please let our staff know in your request and they will schedule an appointment for you to digitally paint or assign the colors onto your 3D model in our slicing program. Please note that process of printing in multiple colors will increase the cost and time of the print.

Question 16

What happens if my request isn't printed properly?

Accepted Answer

If there are errors in the final print, the patron is still responsible for paying for what was printed.

Fees will only be waived or refunded for mechanical error.

Question 17

Does the library offer classes on how to create models for 3D printing?

Accepted Answer

The library does not currently offer classes on creating models for 3D printing.

Visit the Libratory page for some of our recommended courses and a list of other resources.

You can also set up a one-on-one appointment with staff to go over your file with you to evaluate it for any possible errors which might occur during the printing process.

Question 18

Are 3D prints food-safe?

Accepted Answer

It is not recommended to use 3D printed objects for food. We cannot guarantee the material or manufacturing process is food-safe.

Question 19

Can I pick up my print at any LCPL branch?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Let us know where you would like to pick up your print, and we will send it out.

Please remember to bring in the library card used to request the print when you come in to pick it up!

Question 20

How long do I have to pick up my print?

Accepted Answer

You must pick up your print within two weeks from the time that we notify you that your print is ready.

After two weeks, you will need to contact the Libratory to make other arrangements for pick up.

If the print is not picked up within 30 days of the notification that it is ready for pick up, it becomes property of the Lake County Public Library.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need for 3D printing?

How do I request a 3D print?

How much does it cost to make a 3D print?

When do I pay for my print?

Will I have an opportunity to approve the cost of my print before it is processed?

What are the specifications of the 3D printer?

Can I bring in my own filament?

What types of filament does the library offer?

What color options are available?

What is print resolution and what options are available?

What is infill and what options are available?

Does the library have sample prints so I can see what each option looks like?

Will I be charged for support materials if the library adds them?

How long does printing take?

Can I print in more than one color?﻿

What happens if my request isn't printed properly?

Does the library offer classes on how to create models for 3D printing?

Are 3D prints food-safe?

Can I pick up my print at any LCPL branch?

How long do I have to pick up my print?

How do I make a Purchase Request or an InterLibrary Loan request?

How can I request an ebook or digital audiobook?

Can I decide whether the library purchases or borrows my request for me?

Why didn't the library purchase the item I requested?

Does the library attempt to borrow new items?

How long will it take for my request to arrive?

Is there a charge for this service?

How many requests may I submit?

How can I take full advantage of my requests?

I have a $5 or more fine on my card. Why can't I use the Interlibrary Loan service?

If you are borrowing or buying my request, can you send it to a different library?

How long can I keep an item you borrowed for me through Interlibrary Loan and can I renew my item?

How do I check my pickup location?

How will I be contacted when my item arrives?

An item I requested never showed up in my Requests. What do I do?

Who do I talk to for more information about my request?

Where is the Libratory?

When is the Libratory open?

Who can use the Libratory?

How much does it cost?

Will someone show me how to use the equipment and software?

Can I print in more than one color?