Getting started with 3D Printers

Before You Print

Attend a club meeting and register your email in person.
Read the initiation file that will be sent out to you.
Attend a 3D Printing training session

Booking

Book your printer use as early in advance as possible Here. Booking time slots are 1 hour long, but prints can take a very long time. Members are able to book a maximum of 4 consecutive time slots. Be careful to sign up for the time slot for the machine you intend to use. If you have a print job that will be over 4 hours, book the last time slot of the day so that your print job can run over night. If your print will take longer than the time between the last slot of the day and the first slot of the next day, ask a club executive for permission beforehand.

Printing

Have your file ready ahead of time for the printer you intend to use. Make sure the bed is levelled and the spool has enough filament for your print. Make sure to stick around for the first 20 minutes of printing so that if anything goes wrong you can stop the printing before the printer is damaged or filament is wasted. When you leave, make sure you don't leave anything behind. Please recycle any build structures (including but not limited to supports, brims, skirts, and rafts).

SD Cards

Use of the Ultimaker 2+ printer requires an SD card. If there is an SD card inside the printer upon starting the print, you may use it. Just make sure to remove your file from it when your print is finished and leave the card in the machine.

SD Card Reader

If you need one, an SD card reader can be signed out from the Circulation Desk on the main floor in the Library by surrendering your Cap ID card to the attendant on duty. This card reader must be returned to the Circulation Desk after your print job is completed or, at the latest, before the close of day for the Library. Its hours of operation are 8:00am -10:00 pm Mon-Thurs, 8:00am-6:00pm Friday, and 11am-6pm Saturday. Your ID will be returned when the card reader is returned.

Changing Filament

Only change the filament if You have been trained for it.

Replacement spools for each of the printers can also be obtained from the Circulation Desk. You do not need to surrender your Cap ID, but your name and student number will be recorded. If you do not know how to replace the spool on a 3D printer, e-mail the engineering technician at engineeringtech@capilanou.ca or contact one of the trained 3D Printing Club members. The spool will be replaced by the technician when he is on duty.