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My McCausland Arts and Sciences

3D Printing

What is 3D Printing? 3D printing, a popular term for what is now known as additive manufacturing (AM), refers to various processes used to synthesize a three-dimensional object. In additive manufacturing processing, successive layers of material are formed under computer control to create the object. These objects can be of almost any shape or geometry and are produced from digital model data, 3D model or other electronic data sources such as an Additive Manufacturing File (AMF) file.

3D Printing

Bring your ideas to life with 3D printing in the CAS Computing Center, located on the lower level of Gambrell Hall. Our Ultimaker 3 and Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo printers can create prototypes, research models, costume pieces and other custom objects.

Start Your 3D Printing Project

Submit an STL (.stl) file through the service request form. We will review your file, provide a price quote and email you when your print is ready for pickup.

  • Cost: $0.19 per gram
  • Expected completion time: One week
  • Available material: PLA in black or white

Request 3D Printing

Available Printers

Ultimaker 3

The Ultimaker 3 offers high-resolution printing and dual extrusion for detailed models and custom parts.

  • Dual extrusion build volume: 197 × 215 × 300 mm (7.8 × 8.5 × 11.8 inches)
  • Print layers as thin as 20 microns
  • Open filament system compatible with 2.85 mm filament
  • Nozzle temperatures up to 280 °C

Learn more about the Ultimaker 3

Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo

The Bambu Lab X1-Carbon Combo combines fast printing with automatic calibration and monitoring to produce smooth, detailed models up to approximately 10 × 10 × 10 inches.

  • Vibration and extrusion compensation for smoother prints
  • Automatic bed leveling
  • Lidar-assisted first-layer inspection
  • AI-assisted detection of failed prints
  • Automatic Material System (AMS) for multicolor and multimaterial printing

Although the printer supports multiple colors and materials, our current printing service uses black or white PLA.

How Departments Use 3D Printing

  • Theatre: Created hooves for costumes in a production of Animal Farm using the Ultimaker 3.
  • Anthropology: Printed bricks and other artifacts using the Ultimaker 3.
  • Psychology: Uses the Bambu Lab X1 to create models from students’ brain scans.

About Our Printing Material

We use PLA, a plastic made from plant-derived materials such as corn. PLA works well for models, prototypes and other objects that do not require high heat resistance. Printed objects can be sanded or machined for additional finishing.

PLA can soften or deform in high temperatures, including inside a hot car. It does not break down in a backyard or home compost pile.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

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