The Library offers 3D printing service to all HKUST students, faculty and staff.
Watch a quick introduction (1.5 mins)
Filament
PLA, a bio-degradable polymer
Cost
$20 (base charge) + $1/g (material charge)
For example : a model of 12g will cost $32 ($20 base charge + $12 materials charge). The base charge helps offset machine repairs and staff time.
Pickup and payment
After you are notified that your model is ready, come to the Service Counter to pick it up and pay. Either cash or Octopus payment is accepted.
If you have any questions about this service, please contact us at lbmedia@ust.hk.
Use the booking schedule to reserve 1 session (6 hours) per day and up to 2 sessions per week.
Colors in PLA: Blue, White, Black, Green, Natural, Red.
(single-color for each printing)
There are 2 appointments per day for each printer, Mondays to Fridays. At the reserved time, bring your file to the LC Help Desk. If you do not show up within 30 minutes, the time slot will be open to other users. The latest time for receiving file will be at 4:30pm
Using the 3D Printing Workstation, you can prepare your file for printing. You would have to decide on parameters such as model size, filling percentage and support, which affect the printing process and time, as well as the quality and weight of the model. If your build time estimate exceeds 6 hours, the request will need to be assessed further. The maximum estimated time for a job should not exceed 17 hours.
After you sign the print request form, the print job will be initiated. We recommend that you stay for 10-15 minutes at the beginning of the print to make sure nothing goes wrong. If successful, a photo of your printed model will be added to the 3D Gallery.
Notes for using the Service
- The 3D Printing Service may not be used to infringe copyright or intellectual property right.
- The weight and cost of the finished model will differ somewhat from the estimates made prior to printing.
- Items printed on the 3D printers may have small surface defects such as bumps or holes. These routine defects will not be cause for refund or refusal to pay. Also note that while the printers are very accurate, we will not guarantee any precise tolerances on fitting of multi-part models.
- If a print job fails due to any problem in the model design or the file, rather than due to hardware error, the user must still pay for the print job.
- Some models (such as those with steep overhangs) require temporary support material to be printed. This material is easily removable; the user will be completely responsible for removing this material – Library staff will not remove any materials from the model for you, including support materials.
- The Library reserves the right to refuse any print request or cancel any print job. For example, printing of weapons or dangerous models is not permitted.
- Printed models not picked up within 14 days will be recycled. Users must pay the printing fee; otherwise, they may be blocked from requesting another 3D printing services.
3D Design Resources
To print your model, the 3D printer needs a solid, manifold (watertight) STL-formatted file. What software to use to create your model is up to you. The tools mentioned below can help get you started. When your model is ready, make an appointment to reserve a print slot.
Download a design
- Thingiverse
- 3D Warehouse
- Search engine for models: yeggi
Modeling software
3D printers build physical objects from a digital model, layer by layer.
The printer models at HKUST Library is Tiertime Up Box. It uses PLA filament, a bio-degradable polymer. It supports single-color building; you may choose a color from what is available at the Library.
There are many 3D modeling software, some are available for free download. Many finished designs are also available for download at a number of sites. See the suggestions at Design Resources. Either you make your own design, or download one from a site, make sure it is a .stl file.
Not all models come out exactly as the design. Usually objects having overhangs, i.e. parts suspending in mid-air, may not turn out as well as those with less hanging parts. Other factors that may lead to printing failure include the complexity of the design, error during the design process, or inappropriate type of build material.
The Library’s 3D Printers use PLA plastic. PLA is a bio-degradable type of plastic that is manufactured out of plant-based resources such as corn starch or sugar cane. For further information, check the Wikipedia entry for Polylactic acid.
Yes. The library currently has several colors available. Check the service information.
No. Our printers print in one color at a time.
The build time depends on the object size, design, and complexity. It may take 30 minutes for a simple and small object, and a few hours for a bigger one.
Yes. Your model cannot exceed these dimensions: 25.5cm (L) x 20.5cm (W) x 20.5cm (H)
No. We recommend that you stay for the beginning of the print.
You would need to reschedule for another appointment. If it is an error of the design or the file itself, you would need to pay the printing charge even though the object is not complete.
If you do not pick it up within 14 days, the cost will be charged to your account as a library fine. You will not be allowed to make another 3D printing request.