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Bring Your Own Filament (BYOF) 3D Printers#

Want to print with a specific color of filament we don't have? Want to use a specialized engineering material? Have a bunch of your own filament you have to burn through? The BYOF Printers (Bring Your Own Filament) in the General Makerspace are perfect for you!

These are 3D printers our staff maintain, that you can use with your own material. As such, there is no cost associated with the use of these machines!

Warning

These machines are completely self-operated. Our staff cannot assist you with troubleshooting issues, getting better prints, etc.. These machines are only recommended for experienced users. If you want an easier printing experience, check out our 3D print farm.

Reference Information#

To assist you in operating these 3D printers, please see the following resources;

Restricted Filaments#

While we try to accommodate most filaments, some materials are not permitted in the makerspace;

  • Composite-filled or otherwise abrasive materials. Wood-fill or similar additive materials are OK so long are they are not excessively abrasive.
    • Warning: Our machines use a 0.4mm nozzle, so any additives need to be very fine to prevent clogs or jams.
  • ABS or ABS-mix materials, due to excessive fumes.
  • Materials that generate excessive fumes, UFPs, or similar. Examples include ABS or ABS-mix materials.
  • Extremely high-temperature filaments, in excess of 260C.

Tag your material!#

When you leave your filament in the space, you must affix a tag to it, with your email address and today's date on it. This is how staff know material is not abandoned.

Material without a label will immediately be disposed of.

First-Come, First-Serve.#

There are 2 BYOF 3D Printers in the makerspace. They are available on a first come, first serve basis. If you find one of the machines is idle, you can use it by simply unloading any material installed on the machine.

You cannot reserve a machine, other than actually running a print job.

Finished prints will be in the regular blue print pickup bins in the 3D print lab.

Filament, if unloaded for another person to use the machine, will be kept for up to 5 days before it is disposed of.

All Other Policies Still Apply!#

When using BYOF 3D printers, all makerspace policies still apply.