Duane Hicks
While 3D printing is an amazing recent technology, it also can be daunting to a newbie.
The Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre is looking to change that.
Fort Frances High School co-op student Chris Silver is assisting information technology co-ordinator Jeremy Hughes to develop a 3D printer and maker space certification program so people can learn how to use the 3D printers available at the local library.
“A lot of people are confused or scared about using the 3D printer,” the Grade 12 student explained.
“We’re hoping that taking the certification program will take the stigma away and make it more useful.”
Silver said the purpose of the certification program is to enable patrons to come in and print objects without the aid of library tech staff.
The program, which takes only an hour to complete, will show them how to use a 3D printer, and ensure they know enough to properly and safely use one.
This process will consist of watching several instructional slideshows on a computer at the library, then taking a quiz to see if the user is now capable of operating the printer properly and safely.
“If you pass, then you get to come in and print when you want and print what you want,” noted Silver.
Right now, if someone wants to use a 3D printer, they have to book an appointment with the library, come in, and give Silver or Hughes their file containing the digital design for the object they want to print.
They then print it for them.
“It’s inconvenient for them because they have to wait until we’re ready,” Silver reasoned.
Having patrons be able to print for themselves also would be more efficient for library tech staff, who would be able to work on other tasks but still be available if they had any questions, he added.
With the initial certification program, patrons will learn how to find designs for an object to print and how to print them.
They’ll be directed to go to thingiverse.com, an online source for digital designs that have been made by others and are shared openly.
The site includes a vast selection of designs–ranging from practical ones like a card holder for a car sunshade, a bracket, or flower pot to fun pieces like miniatures, 3D puzzles, and fidget spinners.
One advantage of 3D printing is it allows the creator to get exactly what they want.
For example, if you lost a piece from your chess set, you can’t exactly go to the store and get just one chess piece, noted Silver.
With a 3D printer, you could create the one chess piece you need.
Another example is if you had needed a box to accommodate an object of unusual dimensions, but couldn’t find that size anywhere, you could create a custom-sized box with a 3D printer, Silver said.
After finding a design, the patron will learn to use a 3D printer at the library to make that design into a physical object.
The 3D printer then will create the desired object from layers of plastic.
This first certification program will be followed up with a second one focusing on showing people how to design their own 3D objects.
If a patron cannot find what they want on thingiverse, they can choose to make their own design, though Silver noted the process of designing an object is “much more complex” than using a pre-existing one.
Part of the certification process includes an agreement in which the patron promises to not create explicit images or weapons.
Likewise, objects created can’t be copyrighted images or produced for the purpose of sale.
Silver said the work on the certification program is about halfway done, and hopefully it will be ready by early June.
Library CEO Caroline Goulding said she expects the initiative to be very beneficial to both the community and the library.
“Through the certification process, community members will be able to do ‘DIY’ 3D printing, which we expect will lead to more 3D printing overall,” she remarked.
“We are happiest when our resources are being used, and 3D printing is a great resource that we can’t wait to make more accessible to the community,” Goulding added.
Silver said he sees a lot of potential in 3D printing.
“When I first started my placement, I’d never actually 3D printed before–it was a new thing to me,” he noted.
But then he learned how to do it and ran a workshop where participants made personalized name tags.
Since then, Silver has printed objects that can be seen on display in the maker space at the library.
“It’s really cool thing,” he enthused.
“It shows how far technology has come and how far it is going to go.”
