Located on level 2 of Mullins Library, the AR Creation Studios (ACS) Makerspace 3D printing services are available for use by all current University of Arkansas students, faculty, and staff.

Patrons wishing to utilize ACS's 3D printing services must abide by the ACS Makerspace Policy.

Use

• Patrons do not have hands-on access to 3D printers.
• Patrons must submit their print requests, with a print ready file included, via the ACS Makerspace 3D Print Request Form.
  • Accepted file types are .STL, .OBJ. and .3MF.
• Patrons are responsible for creating their own 3D models and should submit files ready for print.
  • Makerspace staff may perform minor repairs or adjustments to a model during the file submission review process.
  • If a file is determined to not be ready to print during the review process, the print request will be cancelled, and the patron will be contacted to set up a consultation appointment to help them with creating and editing designs.
• All filaments will be provided by the ACS Makerspace and particular filament colors cannot be guaranteed. Patrons may not bring in or use their own filament for their prints.
• While print requests may be fulfilled sooner, a minimum two-week turnaround for prints should be expected by patrons. Same day printing is not available.
• The maximum time allowed for a 3D print job is 6 hours. If a patron’s project is estimated to take longer than this, they can split the project into parts and submit a separate print request for each part.
• Makerspace staff are not responsible for objects that do not print correctly due to design errors.
• Printing for commercial or business purposes is prohibited.
• Patrons may only use 3D printing services for lawful purposes. Patrons may not print objects that are:
• Prohibited by library and university policies as well as local, state, or federal law.
• Weapons, weapon accessories, weapon components, or any object that is weapon-like, including toys or replicas.
• Unsafe, harmful, dangerous, or poses a threat to the well-being of others.
• Obscene or would be considered inappropriate content for the environment.
• In violation of another’s intellectual property rights, including copyright, trademark, or patent protection.
• University Libraries staff reserves the right to deny any 3D print request for any reason.
• University Libraries reserves the right to set limits on how many objects a patron may print per semester or academic year at any time.

Cost

• There currently is no charge for 3D printing. University Libraries reserves the right to implement charges for 3D printing at any time.

Submissions

• All submissions are subject to being reviewed for approval based on readiness for print, scheduling, availability, and adherence to the printing policy.
• Once a submission has been approved, it will be placed in the queue for printing.

Printing

• Printing is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Objects being printed for academic and research purposes may be given priority over personal projects.
• 3D print jobs are managed by staff, not patrons. Staff have the right to organize the print queue for overall efficiency at their discretion.
• The ACS Makerspace does not do overnight printing. All printing will be done during normal Makerspace operational hours. Print jobs that have not been completed during open hours may be paused until the Makerspace reopens.
• 3D printing is suspended when the University suspends normal operations, including holidays and inclement weather events.
• While patrons should expect a minimum two-week turnaround time for prints, the ACS Makerspace is not responsible for print request delays during high demand periods or due to equipment being out of service.

Communication

• ACS Makerspace staff will communicate with patrons about their projects by email. Communications may pertain to:
  • Questions about their submission.
  • Notification of approval or rejection of their submission. If a submission is rejected, reasoning will be provided.
  • Notification of print delays or job failures.
  • Arranging and scheduling training or consultations related to creating print ready 3D models.
  • Notification of job completion.

Completed Jobs and Pick Ups

• Completed prints will be available for pick up at ACS Makerspace service desk during open hours.
• Patrons have 7 calendar days to pick up their completed project after pickup notification has been sent. If a project is not picked up within this time, the project will become property of University Libraries.
• Projects must be picked up by the person who submitted the print request.

Quality

Printed objects may have imperfections in their prints, such as small bumps, holes, or rough edges. Patrons can clean these imperfections up with fine sandpaper or other tools as part of their post-production process. While the Bambu printers are very accurate, there may be some instances where objects with multiple pieces or moveable parts do not precisely fit together. Prints may also not turn out as they appear on the screen, which could be due to design errors in the file submitted.

Additionally, support materials/structures are often required to support prints with significant overhangs, parts suspended in mid-air, or bases smaller than the rest of the object. Patrons are responsible for removing all support materials/structures. This process can cause damage to the print. ACS Makerspace staff is not responsible for removing support structures nor are they are responsible for any damage caused during the removal of support structures.

Contact

For questions about 3D printing or to schedule a consultation to discuss your proposed project, please email ACS Makerspace staff at arcreate@uark.edu.