About

The Technology Lab has twelve 3D printers that are exclusively dedicated to the service of active UTSOA students and faculty. Use of the 3D printers requires a current Digital Fabrication Subscription. To use them, simply e-mail two things to the Technology Desk: your correctly prepared file and proof that your file has been repaired in Netfabb. Information about how to prepare this type of file, and where and how to perform the Netfabb test can be found in the links below. Once you've approved the cost estimate, you're all set! The Tech Desk staff will follow up with you via email when your 3D print is ready for pick up.

All 3D prints are created with either PLA (Raise3D) or ABS plastic (Stratasys). Students may not substitute their own materials. Orthogonal features finer than 1/16" are too small to be accurately produced by the printer and will result in a less desirable final product – especially when soluble support material isn't used. Complex geometries must be larger than 1/16" to print successfully. The maximum size of your print is limited by the interior capacity of the individual printer.

This was printed on a Stratasys 3D printer using ABS model material and soluble support material. The small features were made possible by the use of soluble support material.

3D Printer Information

3D Printing Costs & Estimates

A price estimate will be provided for you upon submission. If you do not pick up your print, you will still be charged the full amount to your What I Owe. 

*We're not using this material yet, so any support structures within your Raise3D prints will use PLA.

Time Expectations

Prints can take anywhere from several hours to several days depending on size and complexity. During periods of high volume, the queue may delay your print by several days. Please keep this in mind when considering due dates.

Best Practices

• Use SNAPS and OBJECT SNAPS while modeling to line up objects according to their endpoints or other geometrical identifiers.

• Join curves and surfaces as you build them.  Keeping things joined as you work will help you know that your objects are truly coincident and closed.  The JOIN command will not work if things are not lined up properly, so this is a good check.
• Cylindrical features are more accurate when the cylindrical axis is parallel to the z-axis.
• Make sure that a flat surface is not made up of multiple geometries, which can cause it to print incorrectly.
• Make sure your file is set to INCHES
• Every element of the model must have thickness.

Resources

In addition to the 3D Printing capabilities provided in the SOA, here are some external resources for 3D Printing:

• http://shapeways.com/education
  • Shapeways offers a standing 10% discount on all 3D prints for students and teachers with .edu email addresses.
• https://www.3dhubs.com/students
  • 3D hubs is basically the AirBnb of 3D printing and they offer 25% for students and teachers with .edu email addresses.
• https://www.3d-pros.com/
• https://www.raise3d.com/academy/3d-printing-support-structures/
  • Describes what support structure are
• https://www.raise3d.com/academy/when-and-how-to-use-3d-printed-support-structures/
  • Details when and how to use support structures
    • Sections 3 onward are handled by the Tech Desk Staff

Support

• Frontline support for 3D Printing is currently provided by the Technology Desk
  • SUT 1.100
  • soatechdesk@utexas.edu
  • 512-471-1189
• Tier 2 support for 3D Printing is currently provided by TRIG (Technology Resources and Innovation Group)
  • SUT 1.120
  • trig@utexas.edu

Documentation