3D Printing
Welland Public Library has 3D printers available for public use. Want to design your own jewelry? Or make a case for your smartphone? Or print out some clip-on shopping bag handles? Now you can!
Please review our Makerspace Technology Policy found here.
Please read the FAQ below to get a general idea of the process and what to expect.
When you’re ready to send your 3D print file, click here:
Who can use the 3D Printer?
You must have a library card in good standing, and you may need to attend an introductory 3D printer session. Children must be accompanied by an adult who has successfully completed the session. If you meet those criteria, you can print!
How much does it cost to 3D print?
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Users will pay $2.00 for each print job, up to and including 30 grams of filament. Print jobs weighing more than 30 grams will incur a cost of $0.10 per gram of filament beyond the initial 30 grams.
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The user is responsible for paying 3D printing costs when the item is picked up.
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Patrons that print but do not retrieve more than 3 items will have their 3D printing privileges suspended until the items are retrieved and outstanding charges are paid in full.
How many times can I use the 3D Printer?
You are limited to one print job per week, and print jobs must not take in excess of 5 hours to print.
How do I submit a 3D print job?
Print jobs are submitted using our online web form found above. Once we receive your submission, it’s added to the queue. Submissions are printed in the order in which they are received. When the print job is ready, we will contact you. Completed print jobs must be picked up within one month.
Can I watch my 3D print job being printed?
You’re welcome to watch the 3D Printer in action at our Information Desk at the Main Branch. The 3D Printer is in high demand, so you might not see your own job being printed.
When will my print job be ready?
Print times vary widely depending on things like dimensions and infill percentage, as well as on other factors such as printer availability and backlog. The Library cannot guarantee the timeliness of 3D prints.
What kind of 3D printer do you have?
The Library has two Flashforge Dreamer 3D Printers. One will generally be available at the main Library’s Innovation Station, and the other is located at our Seaway Mall location.
What kind of material is used for 3D printing?
The Library’s 3D printers use PLA plastic filament.
What colours are available? Can I print in more than 1 colour?
The library has eight colours of filament: red, blue, black, white, green, orange, gold, and purple. You can specify your preferred colour in the webform’s “notes” field. You cannot use more than 1 colour for a single print job.
Are there any restrictions on what I can print?
The maximum build area is 230mm (length) x 150mm (width) x 130mm (height). Patrons are limited to one print job per week, and the library does not accept print jobs that take in excess of 5 hours to print. The 3D Printer cannot be used to create material that contravenes provincial or federal law, or that violates Library policy.
Does the Library keep copies of my 3D print job?
The Library does not make copies of your 3D print job and it deletes your .stl file as soon as it has been successfully printed. This means we can’t send you a copy of your file after it’s been printed. Please back up your work before submitting it to the webform.
I want to print but don’t know where to begin. Any Suggestions?
Our 3D Printer Basics sessions are a great place to start. They cover the history of 3D printing, how to find and upload 3D files, how to use our 3D printing software, as well as the printing process itself. Please check our program calendar for session dates.
If you’re looking for ideas, try browsing Thingiverse, a thriving design community for discovering, making and sharing 3D printable things.