Discover Premier 3D Printing Services Near You

Are you searching for cutting-edge 3D printing services? Look no further! At the Digital Media Lab’s 3D Innovation Center, we provide a comprehensive suite of 3D printing, scanning, and modeling services designed to meet a diverse range of needs. Equipped with an impressive array of 50 3D printers and three 3D scanners, our facility utilizes Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology. This advanced process meticulously builds objects layer by layer from durable plastic filament, ensuring precision and quality in every print.

Our 3D printing services are readily accessible to you from 12 PM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. To ensure we’re available when you plan to visit, we recommend checking our hours of operation beforehand. For groups interested in exploring our facilities and services, we warmly invite you to schedule a group visit by completing our Group Visit Planning Form.

Getting Started with 3D Printing: Unleash Your Creativity

Embarking on your 3D printing journey is easier than you might think. We offer multiple avenues to bring your ideas to life:

• Download and Print: Explore the vast world of pre-designed 3D models available on platforms like MakerBot’s thingiverse.com. These repositories offer a wealth of files ready for download, modification, and immediate printing. Whether you’re looking for prototypes, artistic models, or functional parts, the possibilities are virtually limitless.
• Scan and Replicate: Transform real-world objects into digital 3D models with our state-of-the-art 3D scanners. Imagine replicating a sculpture, creating a custom-fit tool, or even capturing a personal memento. Scan times typically range from 5 to 20 minutes. We encourage you to consult with our knowledgeable staff to determine the scannability of your specific items and explore the exciting potential of 3D scanning.
• Design and Innovate: Unleash your inner designer and create your own bespoke parts and objects. If you’re new to 3D modeling, don’t worry! Our expert staff are on hand to provide personalized guidance and training, helping you master the art of 3D design and bring your unique visions into tangible form.

Streamlining Your 3D Printing Requests

Our dedicated team is committed to supporting your 3D printing, scanning, and modeling endeavors. We offer comprehensive assistance through personalized consultations, informative class visits, guided tours of our facilities, and hands-on workshops. Whatever your project scope or level of expertise, we are here to empower you with the knowledge and resources you need.

Ready to start your 3D printing project? Initiate your request today by filling out our convenient 3D printing request form. We are excited to help you transform your ideas into physical reality.

Our Advanced 3D Printer Technology

The 3D Innovation Center boasts a diverse and robust collection of 3D printers to cater to a wide spectrum of project requirements.

Our extensive range includes 48 MakerBot 3D printers, featuring models like the Replicator 5th Gen and Replicator Z 18. These printers are ideal for producing parts with PLA, an environmentally friendly, organic plastic. PLA is particularly well-suited for rapid prototyping and creating simple, functional objects.

For projects demanding a broader range of material capabilities, we also operate one Ultimaker S3 and 3 Extended printer. These advanced machines offer compatibility with an expanded selection of materials, including:

• PLA: For general-purpose printing and prototypes.
• ABS: Known for its durability and heat resistance.
• PETG: Combining strength and flexibility with chemical resistance.
• CPE: Offering enhanced chemical and temperature resistance.
• Nylon: Providing exceptional strength, durability, and flexibility.
• Polycarbonate: A high-performance material with excellent impact resistance and heat resistance.
• TPU 95A (flexible filament): Ideal for creating flexible and elastic parts.
• Polypropylene: Offering good chemical resistance and fatigue resistance.

This diverse printer portfolio ensures we can accommodate projects requiring different material properties, print sizes, and levels of complexity, all within one accessible location.

Material Options and Transparent Pricing

We offer a variety of high-quality 3D printing materials to suit your project needs, with clear and competitive pricing:

• PLA (Polylactic Acid): $0.15/gram, available in a spectrum of colors to bring vibrancy to your prints.
• ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): $0.15/gram, also offered in various colors, providing durable and robust options.
• PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol): $0.15/gram, available in a sleek light grey, known for its balance of strength and ease of use.
• Polypropylene (PP): $0.30/gram, provided in a translucent finish, offering unique material properties for specialized applications.
• TPU (95A, Thermoplastic Polyurethane): $0.30/gram, available in classic black, white, bold red, and cool blue, perfect for flexible and resilient prints.
• Polycarbonate (PC): $0.30/gram, offered in black, white, and translucent, delivering high-performance characteristics for demanding projects.
• Nylon: $0.30/gram, available in black, white, and translucent, providing superior strength and flexibility.

For a comprehensive overview of all available materials, detailed pricing information, and any potential updates, please refer to our detailed Materials and Pricing PDF. We are committed to transparency and ensuring you have all the information necessary to make informed decisions about your 3D printing projects.

3D Print Service Policy: Ensuring Responsible Innovation

To maintain a safe, productive, and respectful environment for all users, we have established a clear 3D print policy:

1. Quality and Functionality: While we strive for excellence, please note that print quality and guaranteed functionality are not assured due to the inherent variables in the 3D printing process.
2. Lawful Use: The Library’s 3D printers are exclusively for lawful purposes. It is strictly prohibited to create material that is:
   1. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or poses an immediate threat to the well-being of others.
   2. This includes, but is not limited to, weapons as defined by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 10(j).
   3. Firearms or dangerous weapons, in accordance with the UMPD Weapons Advisory.
   4. In violation of intellectual property rights or copyright laws.
3. First-Come, First-Served: Print requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis to ensure fairness and efficiency.
4. Queue Management and Refusal: Library staff reserve the right to adjust the print queue as needed to optimize resource utilization and project feasibility. The Library also reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request that violates policy or operational guidelines.
5. Print Pickup: Printed items must be collected within 14 days of completion notification. Items left unclaimed after this period will be forfeited.
6. Staff Access: For safety and maintenance reasons, only designated Library staff are authorized to have hands-on access to the 3D printers.
7. Dedicated Support for Your 3D Printing Needs:
   1. We are passionately committed to providing our campus community with convenient onsite access to cutting-edge 3D printing and 3D scanning technologies. Our knowledgeable staff are readily available to assist you in exploring these technologies, navigating 3D modeling software, and discovering learning opportunities through personalized sessions and comprehensive workshops.
   2. Prioritization of Academic Requests: Academic endeavors are our priority. Requests directly supporting academic coursework, campus research initiatives, teaching and learning resources, and other educational applications will be given precedence.
   3. Eligibility for UMass Affiliates: 3D printing services are available to all active UMass Amherst affiliates, including students, faculty, researchers, and staff. Additionally, we extend our services to Massachusetts Public Libraries, Massachusetts K-12 public schools, and Five Colleges academic members, even those not currently enrolled in UMass courses.
   4. Consultations for Non-Affiliates: While printing services are prioritized for affiliates, we welcome consultations with non-affiliates interested in learning more about 3D printing, 3D scanning, and 3D modeling technologies and their potential applications.