3D Printing

The Stony Plain Public Library is happy to provide a 3D printing service to the public.


About 3D Printing

A 3D printer has many uses! You can use it to create a prototype for a larger project, create models, create replacement parts, and many more things!

How do I get a 3D file?

Create Your Own Design

There are many programs you can use to create your own, but for starting out we recommend TinkerCAD.com. All you need is an email address to create a free account and you can start right away! It's free and you can use it anywhere. 

A good example video is here:

Premade Designs

If you don't want to create your own, you can look online for one that someone else has made. A great site is Thingiverse; a community of 3D builders and you can find almost anything on there!

Printing Details

How much does it cost?

At only 10 cents a gram, 3D printing is surprisingly inexpensive.

How big can my object be?

A single piece must fit within 223mm x 223mm x 205mm but larger objects can be printed in pieces that can be connected (e.g. glue) after printing.

How long will it take?

This depends on the size of your object. Smaller objects will be closer to an hour while larger objects can take 24 hours or more. 

What's the best way to paint my print?

Refer to the comments on this post for more information

What type of 3D printer does the library have?

We have an Ultimaker 2+

Important things to note: 

All of our print jobs default to 5% infill (object density) and 100% scale. 

Fill out my online form.

Once we receive your print request we may contact you to address any potential concerns with your print. The library staff will not edit your design in any way other than changing the size, but staff may inform you if there are reasons your design will not print as desired. 

3D Printing Guidelines:

  1. We reserve the right to refuse print requests if: they are outside the capabilities of our printer; are weapons or parts of weapons; could be considered obscene or hateful.
  2. Our 3D printer is used for primarily non-commercial purposes. If you require a large amount of a single file printed we may refer you to a commercial 3D printing service. 
  3. If your object is not claimed within 2 months of printing we will assume ownership of the object. 
  4. Some objects require support and adhesive aids. You are responsible for the purchase and removal of this material. 
  5. Files uploaded to our server will be deleted after your object has been printed. If you require future copies, please retain your files for future submission.
  6. We will always endeavour to print the oldest item in the print queue, through we reserve the right to reassign priorities on a case-by-case basis.

DISCLAIMER: 3D printing is a new technology, and its use is primarily experimental. We cannot guarantee the quality or usability of objects produced. Objects created by this service often have sharp edges and/or are brittle, are not food safe, and are not suitable for use by small children.