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Innovation Studio

3D Printing Policies

Purpose:

The Xavier University Library Innovation Studio strives to offer our patrons access to new and emerging technologies to inspire a new interest in creation and collaboration. This policy establishes the procedure for public use of the Library’s 3D printers.

Policy:

The 3D printers will be made available to university members for making three-dimensional objects in plastic using a design that is uploaded from a digital computer file.

  1. The 3D printer may be used for lawful purposes only. Patrons are not permitted to use the printer to create objects that are:
    1. Prohibited by local, state or federal law.
    2. Subject to copyright, patent or trademark protection.
    3. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous or pose an immediate threat to the wellbeing of others; for example, guns, knives or other possibly lethal weapons. 
    4. Items that are obscene or are deemed inappropriate for the library environment.
    5. Objects larger than 5″x5″x5″.
  2. The Innovation Studio staff reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
  3. Items printed from the 3D printer that are not picked up within seven days will become the property of the Innovation Studio. Items must be picked up by the individual who requested them. 
  4. Patrons may only use the printer under the direct supervision of a library staff member.
  5. It is the responsibility of the requesting patron to design their own creation and prepare it for printing in .stl file format with a file size no larger than 25MB. Library staff is available for consultation only. Digital designs are available from various file-sharing databases such as www.thingiverse.com.
  6. The design should be downloaded to a USB drive as a .stl file. Library staff will review the file prior to uploading it to a 3D printer. Once the review of the file has been completed, printing will be scheduled within a reasonable period of time. Same day printing is not guaranteed.
  7. Print times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed. Print jobs of over nine hours will be canceled.
  8. You must clean your own rafts and supports. Small bumps or holes and rough edges on the object may occur. These can be cleaned up with fine sandpaper or other tools.

Disclaimer:

This Policy and Procedures contained in this document are subject to change at any time.

While the library staff make every effort to oversee the use of the equipment in the printing of an object the use of the printed object upon completion is not under the direction or control of the Library. The Library is not responsible for any object created with the use of the 3D printer, including any harm or injury incurred as a result of any usage of the 3D printer or the object which is printed.

WARNING – CHOKING HAZARD – Small parts. Not for children under 3 years of age.