Barrington Area Library

Submit 3D Print

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Classes

About

Located on the first floor in the Business & Technology Center, the MakerLab gives Barrington Area Library cardholders access to a variety of cutting edge tools including 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC machine, and vinyl cutter. The purpose of MakerLab is to provide space for customers of all ages to learn through making, using skills such as math, art, and design thinking, to complete self-driven projects. Staff are available by appointment to help develop a plan to make your work possible, but it should be noted that MakerLab is not a substitute for a full-scale production facility and limitations on materials and quantity may apply.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Digital Services staff are also making many services available to customers virtually, including running laser-etching/cutting, CNC milling, and vinyl cutting projects virtually.

Procedures
Information updated June 8, 2022:

• MakerLab is open to Barrington Area Library cardholders.

• Masks are optional but recommended in the Library and in one-on-one appointments.

• No food or beverages in the MakerLab.

Can I bring in my own materials?

How do I submit a 3D print?

What equipment is available?

(Updated December 13, 2021)

Barrington Area Library cardholders may use the following equipment. To setup a MakerLab appointment, please contact Digital Services.

3D Printers
Button Maker
Carvey (CNC Machine)
Heat Press
Laser Cutter
Silhouette Cameo 4 Desktop Cutting Machine

3D Printers

We have 3 Lulzbot Mini 3D printers that have a maximum print area of 5.7" x 5.7" x 5.7". We charge $.10 per gram of filament use and prints must be less that 6 hours. For more information about using the 3D printers, please see the MakerLab policy.

Accepted File Format: Stl, Obj, Scad

Button Maker

Provide your own artwork and use the hole punch and button maker to create custom 2.25" buttons. This machine can be used independently, but please contact Digital Services to make a reservation to ensure that one group is using the MakerLab.

Carvey (CNC Machine)

Barrington Area Library cardholders may use the Carvey to etch and cut out wood during a one-on-one appointment or during Carvey programs. Materials are available for purchase. Digital Services staff will consider materials brought in, but they must be approved before use with the equipment. For questions, please contact Digital Services.

Design software: Design is done in a web-based software, Easel. Some .svg files can be imported into Easel.

Accepted File Formats: .svg, or Easel files.

Heat Press

Barrington Area Library cardholders may use the heat press machine to adhere heat transfer material to a variety of fabrics. The Library has heat transfer material available for purchase. You can use the machine by speaking to a staff member at the Business and Technology desk and following these instructions: Heat Press Machine Instructions or watch this video.

Laser Cutter

The Epilog Mini is able to etch & cut wood up to 12" x 24" and can be reserved by appointment or used in Library programs. For safety, if any material is questionable or unknown to staff, we will not attempt to cut or etch it for any reason. If you have questions about materials, please contact Digital Services.

Design software: Inkscape, Adobe Illustrator, or other vector graphics programs.

Accepted File Formats: .svg is the most common format, but we can work with a variety of vector graphic files.

Silhouette Cameo 4 Desktop Cutting System

The Cameo is a versatile cutting machine that uses software to cut intricate shapes, stencils, patterns, & designs on a variety of materials including adhesive vinyl & cardstock. Barrington Area Library cardholders may bring in & cut their own approved materials. If you have questions about materials, please contact Digital Services.

Design software: Silhouette America

Accepted File Formats: STUDIO3, STUDIO, GSD, DXF, PNG, JPG, BMP, GIF, TIFF

What materials does the Library stock and how much do they cost?