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3D Printing Services at UVic Libraries

Learn about the process for requesting 3D-printed models at UVic Libraries and frequently asked questions about 3D printing.

What filaments do you use?

  1. PLA (Polylactic Acid)

    • A form of plastic made from natural starches like cornstarch. PLA will biodegrade in some industrial composting facilities.

    • This material is the best for detailed models.

    • Available in many colours. 

    • We charge 10 cents per gram.

  2. PVA Dissolving Filament (Polyvinyl Alcohol)

    • Also made from starch. It dissolves when you put it in water. Place it in water for several hours. Do NOT use hot water or your model may warp from the heat.

    • Used for supports.

    • We charge 20 cents per gram.

  3. PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

    • This is a material like PLA, benefits of PETG include increased heat resistance. It is similar to plastic bottle material (PET)

    • Not great for projects with a lot of details since this material tends to be stringy.

    • Usually available in black and white, sometimes other colours may be available (e.g., red, silver)

    • We charge 10 cents per gram.

  4. TPU 95a

    • A material with medium flex, the texture is similar to stiff rubber.

    • Better for simple shapes that do not require support. The material tends to be stringy when printing.

    • Only available in black and white, depending on stock.

    • We charge 20 cents per gram.

How durable is the material?

  • Higher infill density as well and number of shells will increase the strength of a piece, but it also increases cost since it consumes more material. 

  • PLA material is great for most projects, including decorative objects, game pieces, cases, and fidget toys. Over 90% of all jobs printed in the DSC are made using PLA!

  • However, PLA can shatter under a heavy load. If you need to bend something or break supports, always use protective eyewear to protect against tiny flying shards.

  • PETG is more heat resistant than PLA and should be used for pieces that will be exposed to heat or stored in a very warm room or inside a hot car. It is also stronger, resistant to UV light, and more likely to bend than shatter.

  • If you are not sure what material would be best for your piece, send us an email or book a consultation with us at dscommons@uvic.ca.

Can I choose what colour my model is printed with?

  • Your print will be printed with whatever colour is currently loaded in the printer. If you want specific colour, please request this when you submit your print job. We will do our best to accommodate based on current material availability. 

    Two-colour printing is possible with the DSC’s Ultimaker printers. To print two-colour models, they need to be designed for two-colour printing. Dissolving PVA Supports are not available with two colour print jobs.

    DSC staff cannot divide your model into multiple parts for two-colour printing. If this is something you would like to learn, the following videos could be used to help you learn this skill:

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This work by The University of Victoria Libraries is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License unless otherwise indicated when material has been used from other sources.