Carmichael Library Digital Media Lab:
3D Printing Policies
These Policies and Procedures may change at any time. While the DML staff makes every effort to oversee the use of the equipment in the printing of an object the use of the printed object upon completion is not under the direction or control of the DML. The DML is not responsible for any object created with use of the 3D printer, including any harm or injury incurred as a result of any usage of the 3D printer or the object which is printed
People allowed to use the 3D Printer:
Faculty are encouraged to contact Michael Price (DML Manager) to discuss the scope of 3D Printing assignments that they plan to use in their pedagogy.
The DML will not print models that may result in legal action against the University, its employees, and/or its students. To ensure the safety of the UM community and compliance with the UM Weapons Policy, no object that may function as a weapon, or part of a weapon, will be printed. Facsimiles of weapons will not be printed.
The DML will not print models that infringe on intellectual property rights including items/objects that are:
Additionally, no object should in any way be:
Accordingly, DML staff may ask you to provide proof that the work to be printed is:
In some cases it may be necessary to provide either written confirmation from an instructor that an object is for a class/project, a written approval by University Police, or both.
Carmichael Library Digital Media Lab reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
The use of plastics create the products of a 3D print. The process of 3D printing can be most commonly related to a hot glue gun. The material is placed in the printer, melted down and layered until the finished product is created.
A product the size of a soda can would take approximately 4 hours to print.
In general, 3D objects are printed on a first-come, first-served basis. However, priority will be given to students printing objects that influence their grade in a current course. Because of limited staff and hardware resources (currently One Makerbot and Two Ultimaker Printers), the DML does not guarantee specific delivery times. It is recommended to budget at least 48 hours from time of submission to delivery.
You must clean your own rafts and supports. Small bumps or holes and rough edges on the object may occur. These can be cleaned up with fine sandpaper or other tools.
Items printed from the 3D printer that are not picked up within seven days will be destroyed and recycled. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them.
The design must be applicable for printing with PLA and ABS filament and must be versatile to the selection available at the DML at the time of printing. The file size must be no larger than 20MB.
The design should be downloaded to a USB drive as a .stl file. SD cards may be utilized if the file is saved in g-code (.g extension) and provided that library staff are able to view the file prior for pre-approval for printing.
Students, faculty or staff can email a design to carmichaeldml@montevallo.edu and will print the job. Parts submitted via email still must follow the same guidelines set up for in class print time procedures. Again please budget at least 48 hours from time of submission to delivery, as turn-around time depends.
