Precautions
- Printing costs
3-D printing is not free. Charges depend on the volume of the printed model. 3-D printing charges are totalled at the end of the semester.
The cost is 100 yen/cm3 (incl. supporting material)
You need to submit a form before starting to print. The form is HERE. - Materials
The materials themselves are quite expensive (50,000 yen for a wheel) and easily go bad. The materials easily absorb humidity, and absorbing water may cause material to spoil and the machine to break. Materials must be put into an aluminum bag after printing. If you do not follow these instructions and ruin materials or the machine, you may be responsible for the costs associated with replacement. - Other ways to print
Though printing in the lab is a quick and easy way to produce models, it sometimes costs a significant amount and the printing quality may not be adequate. If you are able to wait a week or more for your printed model, there are firms which can print your model(s) at lower prices and higher quality. These may be a better option than printing at the lab.
Quick checklist for preparing 3-D models
- Models for print should be exported in STL format with separated shells. (Several shells in a file can cause higher printing costs and longer printing time.)
- Models for print should be mesh objects with thickness.
- The thinnest part of the model should be thicker than 1.5mm.
- Bounding boxes of models should be smaller than 200mm*200mm*150mm.
Quick checklist for using the printer
Before printing:
- Submit an application form before printing.
- Attach the printing base to the stage and lock it with the blue knobs.
- Set both materials to cartridge and put them into the machine’s bays.
After printing:
- Detach the printing base and remove the models and supporting models.
- Dump waste materials in the material bin on the right at the very end of the printing area.
- Unload materials and put the wheels into aluminum bags.
Operation guidelines in detail
For more details, you can read the PDF HERE.
Room rules
- The room is for 3-D printing only. Do not assemble models. Do not glue materials, spray materials, or use any toxic chemicals.
- When you’re done with the machines, clean the printing base and remove supporting materials.
- If you bring food or drink into the room, clean up after yourself. Throw away your trash and wipe up spills. Do not leave trash for others to clean up.