Can I get something 3D printed?

Yes, we can help you with 3D printing. Bring your design in .STEP, .STL or .OBJ format to Blueprint: The City Library Makerspace (underneath the City Library, at 7 The Square). You can also use Blueprint's computers to design your own objects.

Pricing

Filament Printing

$0.10 per gram + $1.00 per hour of print time.

Resin Printing

$0.50 per gram

The weight of any support material required to print your model is included in the final price. Our 3D Printers
Filament (FFF/FDM) printers and bed size (w × d × h):

3 x Bambu X1C with AMS (250 x 250 x 250 mm)
3 × Prusa i3 MK4 (250 × 210 × 220 mm)
3 × Prusa MINI+ (180 × 180 × 180 mm)

Resin (SLA/MSLA) printers:

2 × Prusa SL1S (127 × 80 × 150 mm)

Materials

The Library prints primarily using PLA which is biodegradable and non-toxic, though NOT food-safe. PETG filament is also available, and you are welcome to bring your own filament if you require specific properties.

The resin printers print with Prusament Tough Resin. This material is suitable for mechanical parts, but has low temperature resistance (below 50°C).

Colours

PLA filament has the largest range of colours, although we can't guarantee a particular colour will be in stock. If you require a specific colour please note this when submitting your print job and we will contact you with alternatives if it is unavailable.

Finishing

Cleanup (including support removal) and assembly of multi-part models is left to you. Superglue, contact adhesive or epoxy can be used to join printed parts together. If you would like a smoother finish a filler-primer that can be sanded or brush-on resin coating such as XTC-3D are both good options.

Submitting a Print Job

Bring your print file in or download it here at the Makerspace and we'll help you get it ready to print. If there's a free printer we can often get it started straight away, otherwise we'll get it started as soon as we can. We no longer accept print jobs submitted online or through email.

Print files - Creating vs. Downloading

Getting started with 3D modelling is easy! We recommend starting with Tinkercad, a free & powerful cloud based design program. Tutorials are built-in and many walk-throughs are available online (you can even use it to design circuits!)

For intermediate to advanced users we recommend software such as Autodesk Fusion 360, which is free for home hobbyists and offers a wide range of powerful modelling tools.

If all you want to do is find something interesting to print or check if someone has already created exactly what you are looking for we recommend checking out some of these sites:

Important Notes

Sometimes prints fail

We will do our best to print your model and work with you to get it done, however we cannot guarantee all print jobs are successful.

No weapons

We do not print replica weapons such as guns or knives (regardless of colour), or any real weapon parts such as receivers. If you have a specific prop in mind, such as for cosplay or an historic display piece please talk to us before submitting your job.

Contact Blueprint Makerspace

Telephone : (06) 351 4100

Email : makerspace@pncc.govt.nz