Photo supplied by Grande Prairie Public Library

By Shaun Penner

3d Printers

Grande Prairie Public Library adds 3D printing to list of services

May 18, 2021 | 12:04 PM

The Grande Prairie Public Library is adding 3D printing to its list of available services.

With the help of the Janssen Legacy Fund, the GPPL has purchased an Ultimaker S5 and a Flashforge Creator 3, which are ready and waiting for community members to submit their 3D files to be printed.

Emerging Technologies Librarian Charlotte Anderson says she is excited to now have such services at the library, adding there are a plethora of items that can be created by these printers.

“You can print tools, household equipment, small toys, models for games like Dungeons and Dragons, or really any game piece that you might have lost,” said Anderson. “You can probably find the 3D print (online) or create the 3D print to replace that.

“There are a lot of options.”

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Anderson explains that 3D printers work by melting down a filament to create a shape based on a 3D model.

To have models printed at the library, Anderson says users can email files to 3d@gppl.ca. The cost to print such files is $0.15 per gram of filament.

“Once we receive a print file… the amount of material needed will be calculated,” says Anderson. “When the prints have been paid for, they will be placed in our queue. We anticipate three to four weeks for the print job to be completed.”

She says the library will print models in grey filament, which can then be painted using acrylic paint.

Photo supplied by the Grande Prairie Public Library

There are also limits on what can be printed. The library will not print anything that is prohibited by law, poses a threat to the well-being of others, or infringes on copyright, trademark, patent, or intellectual property rights.

Anderson says she is also looking forward to when the library can reopen to the public, as the library has creative computers where residents can try their hand at building their own 3D model, or other creative projects.

“We also have creative technology computers that have programs like Adobe, AutoCAD, Photoshop Suite. All of that,” said Anderson.

“We do want to create the opportunity for people in Grande Prairie to use technology and equipment that they may not otherwise get access to.”

The 3D printers and creative computers were purchased thanks to the Janssen Legacy Fund.

In 2016, local resident Willie Janssen made a bequeathment to GPPL, with the request that the funds be used to fund technology for children and teens.

“Thanks to Mr. Janssen, this technology will be available to users of all ages,” says Anderson.

A list of 3D printing resources can also be found on the GPPL website.