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3D Printing is an additive manufacturing process. What this means is that, unlike traditional manufacturing which takes away material to create parts, 3D printing only uses the material it needs to create the part. How it does this is by taking a 3D generated object, typically an STL file created in a Computer Aided Design (CAD) software (ex., TinkerCAD OpenSCAD, FreeCAD, TinkerCAD, AutoCAD, Fusion360, etc.) or 3D modeling software (ex., Blender, Maya, Cinema4D, ZBrush, etc.), and making it physical. This is done by converting the 3D object into something that the a 3D printer can use "understand" using a slicer, a program that translates the object into GCode. GCode tells the printer everything it needs to, from the type of material being printed with, to how hot the nozzle needs to get, where the print head needs to be at a given time, etc. The printer then creates the object, layer by layer, on a build plate. The result is a physical manifestation of the STL. 

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• Any object that violates City of Buffalo, Erie County, New York State or Federal laws.
• Any violations to any Canisius University Policies, including but not limited to:
  • Volume II: 2.3 Campus Security PoliciesVolume II: , specifically 2.3 Campus Security Policies#2.3.16WeaponsandOtherDangerousInstrumentsPolicy.16: Weapons and Other Dangerous Instruments Policy
  • Volume VI: 6.2 Residence Life Policies
  • Volume VI: 6.1 Community Standards
  • Volume VI: 6.5 Student Club and Organization Policies#6Policies, specifically 6.5.5StudentOrganizationEventPolicy5: Student Organization Event Policy
  • Volume II: 2.5 Campus Operations and Facilities Management Policies#2Policies, specifically 2.5.22UseofUnmannedAircraftSystems22: Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) Policy
• Any objects that can be used as a part of a weapon, including but not limited to:
  • the scales of a knife
  • half-moon loader for revolvers
• If it is something that you do not want anyone else to know you have or would make you uncomfortable if someone else knew you had it, it’s probably not a good idea to ask us to print it.
• Pre-sliced models.
  • We are unable to make modifications to these models. If, for example, you make your object too big for the build area, it could damage the printer.
• COLI staff reserves the right to refuse to print any object, for any reason.

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• I want to 3D print something that is copyrighted. Will you do that?
  • Yes. However, note that we are not responsible for determining whether or not an object is protected under copyright law, nor violates any of the laws or policies above. You, as the provider of the file, will bear the responsibility of determining whether or not an object is copyright protected, subject to law or policies, and any other responsibility(ies) therein. Also note that we reserve the right to refuse to print any object, without giving cause.
• I want to print something in an “exotic” (i.e., uncommon, such as carbon fiber or simu-bone) printing material other than what is available. Will you do that?
  • Depending on the cost of the material, and whether or not our 3D printers can handle the material, we may buy it and only charge you the cost of the material used and the fee. 
  • For more expensive materials, you may have to pay for the reel. In which case, we would only charge you the fee for having the object 3D Printed. You would be able to keep the reel.
  • In either of the above cases, you must provide us a direct link to purchase the material and the materials specifications (if separate from the buying link).
• I don’t like the colors you have. Can you buy a different color?
  • In general, no. We typically use PLA or PETG for FDM and Grey UV Resin for Resin Printing. All of these materials take well to spray paint/craft paint/modeling paint.
• I want to print a lot of items. Can I do that?
  • No. 3D printing for course work and research take precedence. Additionally, we do not have the capacity to print more than a handful of items at a time.
• I want to 3D print items to sell. Will you do that?
  • No. However, feel free to ask us for any advice on 3D printers, filaments/resin (aka, materials), etc.
• My 3D print came back looking weird. Can you guys fix it?
  • We will give you what comes off of the build plate. We are not responsible for cleaning up stringing or removing supports. If you believe that there is something wrong with your object, please let us know and we can discuss a course of action.
    • If you require advice on how to best remove stringing or supports, ask us. Advice is always free.
  • Some 3D files are simply just bad. We recommend either creating your own files (TinkerCAD, FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, Blender, are all free or opensource software for generating 3D files). You may also purchase/download files from 3D sharing websites such as MyMinifactory, Printables, Thingiverse, and/or Etsy. 
  • You are responsible for making any required modifications to the model.
  • You are responsible for ensuring that your model is 3D printable.
  • If it is a model that we helped to design, we will modify it as needed.
• I want to create an object for course work/research, but it needs to be custom designed. Will you help with that?
  • In general, please talk to us. We may decide to help. Otherwise, we will point you to one of the previously mentioned software.
• What if my object fails while 3D printing? Will you charge me for that?
  • If it is a catastrophic failure that is the result of the 3D printing process, no. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Failure to stick to the build plate
    • Spaghettiing/bird nest (i.e., when a layer of filament does not stick to the previous layer)
  • If it is a failure in the model (for example, a small part of the object is missing in the 3D model), yes.
• My 3D printed object broke while using it! Will you reprint one free of charge?
  
  • After the object leaves the build plate, we are no longer responsible for what happens to it, nor for any resulting events from the use or misuse of the object.
• When my 3D Object broke, the object injured someone or damaged something! You guys are in big trouble!
  • No. As stated previously, after the object leaves the build plate, we are no longer responsible for what happens to it. Nor are we responsible for what happens to anyone or anything while using the 3D Object.
• Is this policy subject to change?
  • Yes, we reserve the right to change this policy without notice.

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The Canisius Makerspace

Coming soon, in association with Canisius Makerspace and the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library, the Canisius Makerspace will be located in what was the Library Conference room in the basement of the Andrew L. Bouwhuis Library. This space will include the more traditional makerspace materials (i.e., Legos, paint supplies, glue, etc.) and also more high-end tools, including the 3D printers mentioned above (and more besides). Stay tuned to this page, the COLI Blog, and the Canisius Dome while we prepare the Makerspace.

Want to stay in touch? Sign up on the form below to receive emails about Makerspace and when we have events!

https://forms.gle/cv796tnxxqaMFmMH9

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