3D Printing at the Ipswich Libraries Makerspaces
Unleash your imagination in the third dimension: step into the world of limitless creation with 3D printing.
If you are new to 3D printing, here is an overview.
What is 3D printing
3D printing turns a digital design into a physical object, whether the object is made with PLA or Resin, the design is broken down into individual layers which the printer completes one at a time until the design is fully formed. At Ipswich Libraries Makerspaces, we print with 2 different materials.
PLA: PLA printing builds objects layer by layer using melted plastic. Once the plastic cools down, the printer continues onto the next layer until the object is completed. This is the primary material models are printed in.
Resin: Resin printing build objects layer by layer using a special liquid that hardens when exposed to UV light in short flashes. This is a more complicated and lengthy process due to safety procedures when handling uncured resin. Consultation with a Makerspace Officer is required before this material is considered for use.
How many 3D printers do you have available?
Ipswich Libraries Makerspace have a total of 6 printers available to print jobs submitted by library members.
We have four PLA printers that can print in a variety of colours and two Resin printers that print in Grey only.
About our Printers
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| Bambu A1 mini: 180mm(L) x 180mm(W) x 180mm(H). Prints in PLA |
Bambu Lab P1P: 256mm(L) x 256mm(W) x 256mm(H) Prints in PLA |
Elegoo Saturn 4 Ultra: 218.88mm(L) x 122.88mm(W) x 220mm(H) Prints in Resin |
3D Printing in the Makerspace
Ipswich Libraries Makerspace afford 4 free prints a year to those whom complete our 3D printing or 3D modelling sessions. We also highly recommend you keep your knowledge up to date by regularly participating in our 3D print challenges. All prints are subject to a size restriction of 6cm cubed or the equivalent thereof at the discretion of staff per model. All models will be printed using a singular PLA filament, unless the model comes in more than one piece or has been appropriately discussed and agreed to by the Makerspace staff, this is for fairness for all our customers.
Educational opportunity not a Service
Our sessions and prints are free as council aims to create learning opportunities that are available and affordable to our community. As such, Makerspace is not a printing service and we do not accept print requests from those whom have not completed one of our sessions. If you would like to have your models printed professionally there are a number of businesses that can accommodate this.
The Print Queue
Once you have selected or created a model and it has been accepted for print your model will be placed in our queue. Your model will usually be printed within a 2 week time frame, however, busy times like school holidays will increase this time period. Upon completion of your print we will notify you that it is ready for pick up via the information you have given us in your session booking. If these details change please notify makerspace as soon as possible through: .
Requesting a Print
You can request a print at anytime once you have completed one of our 3D sessions. All print requests are added to the print queue and will be held to the same size restrictions. Should there be any issues with your request we will notify you and encourage further discussion on alternative options. To request a print all you need to do is email us at and include:
- Your name
- When you had your session (can be found in your email as we send you a confirmation email) and the name it was booked under
- A link to the model or have the file attached
- What colour you would like it in
Once we have this information we will be in touch to advise you of your requests status. Please note that for copyright reasons we can not print files that have been purchased by you. We will advise you if your colour choice can not be done or there are flaws in the model that make it unsuitable to be printed.
Resin Printing
Though we do have resin printers here it is not offered as our main material for printing. This is due to the extra time and procedure it takes in washing, curing and completing this type of material. As such this means that the time for you receiving your model is 4 weeks or more depending on school holidays and any unforeseen factors. Should this be a preferred type of material you want your model printed in you will have to list your reasons why in your request. As this is a free service you are not guaranteed any specific material other than PLA for your print.
Personal Filaments
We do not accept personal filaments of any kind. A list of colours can be provided to you by Makerspace staff.
3D Printing & Copyright
Ipswich Libraries Makerspace has a duty to respect copyright, and the Makerspace Team may refuse jobs that are potentially illegal or inappropriate.
For more information on 3D printing and copyright, please click on the link below to download the information sheet provided by the Australian Copyright Council.