3D Printer Policy and Procedure

Purpose

Christchurch City Libraries provides the community with access to new and emerging technologies and equipment such as 3D printers to inspire interest in design and bring customers creations to life. This policy establishes how and under what circumstances the public may access the Christchurch City Libraries 3D Modelling software and 3D Printers. Auahatanga Creative Spaces are places of learning. The purpose of our service is to support upskilling, prototyping, and creating. We support initial design conception, long-life learning, and non-commercial creativity.

Policy

Christchurch City Libraries 3D Printers are available for the public to produce three-dimensional objects in PLA plastic using a design that is uploaded or supplied to the library from a digital computer file.

  • The library’s 3D printer may be used only for lawful purposes. The public will not be permitted to use the library’s 3D printer to create material that is:
    • Prohibited by law.
    • Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others. No model or replicate weapons or accessories will be printed.
    • Obscene or otherwise inappropriate for the library environment.
    • In violation of another’s intellectual property rights. For example, the printers should not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.
  • The library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
  • Cost: At the time of this publication, the cost is set at 20 cents per gram of filament and $1 printing charge, however, this cost is subject to change at any time. (Rounded to the nearest full gram). For inducted independent users, the $1 printing charge will be waived.
  • Only designated Library staff, volunteers or those having completed an induction and have gained a 3D printing licence will have independent access to the 3D printer.
  • Only library approved and supplied consumables can be used on library 3D printers, to ensure they remain in working order.

Definitions

3D printing: the process of making a physical object from a digital model.

3D Printer: A 3D printer that uses melted P.L.A. plastic to produce objects designed on a computer.

CAD: Computer-Aided Design.

Procedures

The procedure for printing from the library’s 3D printers is as follows:

Design creation

  • The 3D printer can be used coupled with basic knowledge of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software. Creating a new design requires knowledge of 3D modelling software products. These have inbuilt tutorials to get you started. There are also tutorials available on LinkedIn Learning through the library website.
  • Christchurch City Libraries has public computers available for 3D Design use. Tinkercad and Onshape are available on any browser and can be used to create 3D designs that are capable of being printed on our 3D printers.
  • Digital designs are also available from various file-sharing databases. Printing priority maybe given to customers that have produced their own model.

Independent Access 3D Printing Licence

  • Library members can complete an induction with our library staff to gain a 3D printing licence.
  • Inductions can be booked through our Book a Creative library page.
  • Once inducted, licence holders can print at any library with a 3D printer. Please be aware, staff may not always be able to support.
  • For inducted independent users, the $1 printing charge will be waived.

Submitting a design for printing

  • Library members can fill in the online form on the library website. Staff will review the model to assess printability. The online form can be found on the Christchurch City Libraries website.
  • Wait/pickup time: Items must be collected from the library you requested. You will receive an email when your print is ready to be collected.  Items should be collected within 3 weeks, or customer should notify library if they need longer. Library will dispose of uncollected 3D items after 2 months.
    • The files will be readied for printing in Prusa Slicer or other authorized software before printing.
    • The purpose of our service is to support prototyping and printing small quantities. We have a limit of 8 hours for our print jobs, as we will not leave the printers running unattended. (Maximum 4 jobs per individual, per month)
    • Print times can vary depending on size and volume. Please note that during peak times print jobs may take up to 21 working days.
    • We reserve the right to photograph 3D designs for promotional use by Christchurch City Libraries.

Please note that procedures governing the use of the library’s 3D printers are subject to change.

Customers are responsible for understanding their legal obligations under copyright, trademark, patent, and industrial law as well as their moral obligations to protect their own and others' intellectual property.

Our libraries are busy public places, and all prints can be viewed by library users.

See the 3D webpages on Christchurch City Libraries for more information about the 3D printing service.

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