Makerspace

Summer Hours

Open 2 - 6PM daily starting May 20th

Closed 5/10 – 5/19 but available by appointment

For appointments or access at other times, please contact Adam Rogers, Emerging Technology Services Librarian.

What is the Makerspace?

The Hunt Library Makerspace supports students, faculty, and staff in learning about emerging technologies and bringing their creations to life. The space has two 3D printers and a laser cutter for rapid prototyping of designs. What will you make?

Access & Costs

Makerspace services are available to all current NCSU students, faculty, and staff. The service costs are:

• uPrint 3D Printer: $7 per cubic inch of material, with a $7 minimum
• MakerBot 3D Printer: $0.25 per gram of material, with a $4 minimum
• *Epilog Laser Cutter: $5 per 15 minutes of appointment time, with a $10 minimum
• NextEngine 3D Scanner: Free for use, must be checked out

We can estimate costs for you before 3D printing or laser cutting. Payment is processed through the PaperCut/AllCampus system.

If you need to charge your 3D printing to a departmental account, please bring the following information: Department, Campus Box number, Bookkeeper's name, Bookkeeper's phone number, and Project FAS number. Please note that we cannot charge to grant accounts, which have FAS numbers starting with a 5.

Equipment

 

3D Printing FAQ

What is 3D printing? How does it work?

3D printing is the process of making a physical object from a digital model. It is also known as additive manufacturing because the physical model is built up one layer at a time. Both of our 3D printers use a process called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), in which a plastic filament is fed through a heated nozzle which melts the plastic. Computer-controlled motors move the nozzle around to create the shape of a layer, which hardens immediately. The object is built this way, one layer at a time, from the bottom up.

What are some practical uses of 3D printing?

There are a multitude of practical applications for 3D printing, from aerospace and automotive engineering to prosthetics and other medical uses. 3D printing enables rapid prototyping of design concepts and functional, working models; it is used for low-volume, custom, or on-demand manufacturing.

What software can you use to make printable 3D models?

There are many different programs that can produce printable 3D models. Most 3D modeling software will output the filetype our machines use, the .stl file. Solid modeling CAD software is much more likely to produce a successful print than surface modeling software. A few popular options are SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor, 3DS Max, Creo, Blender, Rhino 3D, Sketchup and Tinkercad. Information on software available to students and staff can be found at software.ncsu.edu and www.eos.ncsu.edu/software

How do I get my file printed?

To print a model, please bring your file (in .STL file format) to the Makerspace during our open hours. We’ll help you decide which machine to use, tell you how much it will cost, and estimate how long it will take to print your model. Once you pay the printing cost, we'll add your model to our printing queue.

What are the differences between the two 3D printers?

They use the same basic process, but there are some major differences between the uPrint and the MakerBot. They print in different materials, which have different qualities. The uPrint is more accurate and reliable, and produces a higher quality model. Printing on the uPrint costs about twice as much as printing on the MakerBot.

How detailed can the 3D printers get?

The uPrint produces layers which are .254 mm (.010 in) thick. The MakerBot is comparable, and can even produce layers down to 100 microns (0.0039 in) thin, but it is not as accurate, particularly for larger models.

How strong is the 3D printed material?

Both machines produce hard plastic models which are suitable for working parts and functional prototypes. More information on the materials (ABSplus on the uPrint, PLA on the MakerBot) can be obtained in the Makerspace.

How big of an object can you 3D print?

The uPrint build volume is 8" x 8" x 6", the MakerBot's is 11.2" x 6" x 6.1".

Is this 3D printing technology brand new?

No, the technology has been around for over 20 years. The machines would typically be found in engineering and design firms. However, there is a lot of excitement around 3D printing now, because it is becoming more accessible to average people. This is due in large part to the pioneering open-source RepRap Project, and to startups like MakerBot Industries and Shapeways.

Is the library the first place at NCSU to have 3D printers?

No, we are not, but we are the first to offer 3D printing services to all NCSU students, faculty, and staff.

Are these services available to Centennial Campus Affiliates?

Not currently, but please let us know if this is a service you would like access to.

 

Laser Cutter FAQ

When will the laser cutter be available for use?

It is available now, in beta mode. Please be patient as we work the kinks out with this service. If you would like to have something cut or engraved, please make an appointment using our online form.

What is a laser cutter? How does it work?

A laser cutter is a machine that can cut and etch materials quickly and with high precision. It works by directing the output of a high-power laser, controlled by computer, at the material to be cut. The material then either melts, burns, or vaporizes away, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish.

What are some practical uses of a laser cutter?

Laser cutters have broad applications for model-making, architecture, sculpture, graphic design, and more. They are uniquely suited to rapid prototyping and custom fabrication, enabling quick production of models and parts that would otherwise be very time-consuming or impossible to produce.

What kind of software and files can you use with the laser cutter?

We use Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator to send files to the laser cutter. You can work in these programs to produce your files, or you can bring image files or text and we can arrange them in Corel Draw in the Makerspace. Pretty much anything you can print can be etched with the laser cutter.

We are still working on our file guidelines for this service. For now, please refer to these external tutorials:

• http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/design-it-yourself
• http://www.customlasercutting.com/info/tutorials

Is the laser cutter safe?

The laser is very safe, particularly for the following reasons:

• The laser is secured with interlock devices so it will not run with the doors of the system open.
• The laser exhaust is sent to an external filtration system (a Fumex FA-2) where passes through a series of three filters including a HEPA filter.
• The laser is only operated by trained library staff.
• Only materials sourced by the library and verified as safe for laser use are used in the laser cutter.

How do I get my file cut or etched?

To use our laser cutter service, you will need to make an appointment. Before your appointment, please:

• Get your file(s) ready before you come in for your appointment. If you have questions, feel free to send us an email.
• Think about what material you would like to use. At the moment, we can only cut or etch materials which we have sourced, so you will have to purchase material from us.

During your appointment with library staff, we will open your file, confirm that your file suits what you want to do with the laser cutter, and help edit your file as necessary. We’ll help you decide which material to use, and then cut or etch it with your file.

What materials do you offer for laser cutting?

All of our materials are sold in 12”x24” sheets. We currently offer:

• 1/8" thick Wood Fiberboard from LaserBits for $6/sheet
• 1/4" Wood Fiberboard ($8) from LaserBits for $8/sheet
• 1/8" Cedar Laminate from LaserBits for $15/sheet
• 1/8" Clear Acrylic from LaserBits for $17/sheet

If there are other materials you would like to see us offer, please let us know.

How does the payment work?

You will be charged for the amount of time of your appointment, plus the cost of the material you choose to cut or etch. Appointment time is $5 per 15 minutes of appointment time, with a $10 minimum. Material prices are listed above. So, for example, a cutting project using one sheet of acrylic that took 45 minutes would cost $17 + $15 = $32 total. We process payment through the WolfPrint/AllCampus system.

Is the library the first place at NCSU to have a laser cutter?

No, we are not, but we are the first to offer laser cutting services to all NCSU students, faculty, and staff.

Are these services available to Centennial Campus Affiliates?

Not currently, but please let us know if this is a service you would like access to.