Changes

The 3D printers in our Makerspace are for hobbyist and very low volume production projects. It is also free for you to print with PLA or ABS (on request since all printers are loaded with PLA). The Ultimaker 2+, for instance, is easy to maintain, user friendly, and CURA (its recommended slicer) is packed with features that allow tuning the printer. This comes with advantages and disadvantages. This can be advantageous if you want to run with a variety of different qualities or settings. On the disadvantageous side, this means the prints do not always work at the simple click of a button, and even if they do, they might not be a good representation of the part that you wanted to make (due to manufacturing defects such as warping, lack of overhangs, improper overhang placement, under- or over-extrusion, etc.).

The 3D printers in our Makerspace are for hobbyist and very low volume production projects. It is also free for you to print with PLA or ABS (on request since all printers are loaded with PLA). The Ultimaker 2+, for instance, is easy to maintain, user friendly, and CURA (its recommended slicer) is packed with features that allow tuning the printer. This comes with advantages and disadvantages. This can be advantageous if you want to run with a variety of different qualities or settings. On the disadvantageous side, this means the prints do not always work at the simple click of a button, and even if they do, they might not be a good representation of the part that you wanted to make (due to manufacturing defects such as warping, lack of overhangs, improper overhang placement, under- or over-extrusion, etc.).

Industry-grade printers are the opposite. You will find that you have very little control over the parameters of the print, and the printer will be slow at printing, but the print will come out almost perfect most times. The Makerspace has the Mark II as well as a Dimension 1200es printer, but since the consumables for those printers are expensive and since not many people use these printers, the makerspace charges for prints made on them. If you think your application requires specialty materials or the extra quality that these industry grade printers provide, please do not hesitate to [[How to submit an Order Request|submit a print order]] through our system. We'll be happy to work with you on getting your part manufactured.

Industry-grade printers are the opposite. You will find that you have very little control over the parameters of the print, and the printer will be slow at printing, but the print will come out almost perfect most times. The Makerspace has the Makrforged Mark II as well as a Dimension 1200es printer, but since the consumables for those printers are expensive and since not many people use these printers, the makerspace charges for prints made on them. If you think your application requires specialty materials or the extra quality that these industry grade printers provide, please do not hesitate to [[How to submit an Order Request|submit a print order]] through our system. We'll be happy to work with you on getting your part manufactured.

With the large amount of modifications you can make to your print settings as well as the fact parts printed in the Makerspace are typically PLA, parts printed in the Makerspace are perfect for small prototype enclosures, prototype organic shapes such as ergonomic  designs, flexible (clamping) shaft stops, spacers or linear bearing housings. They can also be used for prototype bracketing for low load applications. They are not for the manufacturing of precision components or components that will encounter high loads.

With the large amount of modifications you can make to your print settings as well as the fact parts printed in the Makerspace are typically PLA, parts printed in the Makerspace are perfect for small prototype enclosures, prototype organic shapes such as ergonomic  designs, flexible (clamping) shaft stops, spacers or linear bearing housings. They can also be used for prototype bracketing for low load applications. They are not for the manufacturing of precision components or components that will encounter high loads.