Toronto’s jewel of a public library system offers staffed Digital Innovation Hubs, located in 13 branches (as well as Pop-Up Learning Labs), bringing technology and education to the public. One featured service is 3D printing, and last night I attended the introductory class at Toronto Reference Library to understand how it works. Here are a few notes about what I learned.
Firstly, what is 3D printing?
Per Autodesk, “3D printing, also called additive manufacturing (US site), is a family of processes that produces objects by adding material in layers that correspond to successive cross-sections of a 3D model. Plastics and metal alloys are the most commonly used materials for 3D printing, but it can work on nearly anything—from concrete to living tissue.”
What kind of printer does the library use?
The library uses Prusa i3 MK3s+ 3D printers with a 0.4mm nozzle, to create objects with layer heights of 0.05 mm (for fine detail, takes longer to print) to 0.3 mm (standard). Here’s a video (3.5 mins) which gives insight into the working of the machine. (And ooo-eee didn’t I just go down a rabbit hole of 3D printing possibilities on Prusa’s YouTube channel).
What material does the library’s printers use?
The library uses spools of Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament, which the handout says is biogradable (produced from crops such as maize), non-toxic and non-fume-producing. The alternative would be Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, but this produces fumes during printing so is not suitable for the non-ventilated library environment.
Where can you find digital files of 3D designs?
Here are three sources suggested by the library (which notes that users should be sure to review the terms of an object’s license).
What is some 3D design software to try?
Autodesk Fusion (formerly Fusion360)
What can you print?
“Almost anything” may not be too far from the truth. Some intriguing items, just from the first pages of Printables models, include a tiny table vice, stackable drawers, a chess set, garden hose attachments, a poop scooper (!), and Easter bunny candle holders. The class got to check out a selection of 3D printed toys and figurines, and the library features a case of samples, including a yarn holder, knitting stitch placeholders, a model of Toronto, and a replica TTC car.
Other larger scale applications include 3D printed housing (see CBC article) and bioprinting, such as muscle, cartilage, or limbs.
What is slicing?
The TPL handout says that 3D design files need to be processed with slicing software to convert the model into a file that is ready for printing. “Slicing” refers to the software “cutting” the 3D model into thin horizontal layers. Considerations include layer height / thickness (the thicker the layer, the faster), infill (determines durability of the printout), raft / brim (layers above and below the object), and supports (scaffolding material which you remove after printing).
Per the handout, files are in formats .STL or .OBJ, consisting of polygon mesh which describes the three dimensional surface of a 3D model through thousands of tiny triangles. At the Digital Innovation Hub, you need to use Prusa Slicer to prepare your file for printing, changing the file format to Gcode, a programming language the printer understands.
How do you print a object at TPL?
See how to book, costs, and rules.
In conclusion, lots to explore!
