{"id":244,"date":"2021-02-08T14:56:02","date_gmt":"2021-02-08T19:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/capfablab\/?page_id=244"},"modified":"2025-05-21T13:24:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T17:24:07","slug":"policies-and-procedures","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.bsu.edu\/capfablab\/policies-and-procedures\/","title":{"rendered":"Policies and Procedures"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to 3D Print at CAP<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n
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Step\u00a01<\/td>\r\nRead about CAP\u2019s 3D printers (below) and check out our 3D Printing Steps\/Checklist.<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Step 2<\/td>\r\nMeet with a D-Fab staff member if you have not printed before! Complete Module 3<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Step 3<\/td>\r\nPrepare your print geometry and follow the 3D Printing Checklist (see below).<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
Step 4<\/td>\r\nIf you have printed before or a staff member requests it, submit a 3D print request online.\u00a0 You will receive a confirmation email and a staff member will follow up with you to schedule your print and discuss pick up procedures.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

3D Printing Steps\/Checklist <\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\r\nWe are excited to help all CAP students achieve their project goals, especially during “crunch time”.\u00a0 We are committed to getting all requests processed in a timely and efficient manner. To that end, we have developed some new guidelines that will help everyone in the 3D print community optimize the effectiveness of the 3D Print Lab and reduce delays. We thank you for following these checklist items! Doing so will certainly benefit everyone that depends on these services.<\/div>\r\n
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Prior to submitting a request:<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
1. You are required to set up an initial consultation session if you have never 3D printed before.<\/div>\r\n
2. Class projects and assignments that include introductory presentations by qualified faculty or CAP FabLab staff function as the required initial consultation session.<\/div>\r\n
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Submitting a request:<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
1. Access the service now request form here: Request Form<\/a><\/div>\r\n
2. Download our Rhino template file<\/a> and use it to plan your print project.<\/div>\r\n
3. Ensure that each Mesh\/NURB object can fit within build plate dimensions.<\/div>\r\n
4. Ensure that each Mesh\/NURB object is watertight and does not contain bad geometry.<\/div>\r\n
5. Ensure that each Mesh\/NURB object is properly exported in millimeter units to STL.<\/div>\r\n
6. Any closed geometry greater than 2 square inches needs to be submitted as a separate STL file.<\/div>\r\n
7. Any closed geometries smaller than 2 square inches can be exported as a group assuming all Mesh\/NURB objects are aligned to Z-Zero.<\/div>\r\n
8. Users interested in duplicate prints of the same geometry should construct a build plate (using the template file) and export the duplicate geometries as one STL file (assuming all Mesh\/NURB objects are aligned to Z-Zero).<\/div>\r\n
9. Submit all STL files using the guidance above. Only submit 3DM files as a reference\/build plate diagram. If you submit a 3DM file, include dimension lines or text annotations to confirm scale and units of measurement. We will only print the STL files submitted as part of your 3D print request. Any Mesh\/NURB objects included in the reference 3DM file, but not submitted as a STL, will be excluded. 10. All STLs submitted should include the filament size and color in the file name.<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
11. We will print all STL files with brims, supports, and with a default 20% infill unless alternatives are specified in the request notes.<\/div>\r\n
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Expectations:<\/strong><\/div>\r\n
1. The 3D print request que has different levels of demand.<\/div>\r\n
Or goal is to keep students aware of demand conditions through a color code warning system. Red = High, Yellow = Medium, Green = Low.<\/div>\r\n
2. During green conditions, the goal is to print requests within 2 business days of initial processing.<\/div>\r\n
3. During red conditions, the goal is to print requests within 7 business days of initial processing.<\/div>\r\n
4. Initial processing occurs at 11:00am during business days.<\/div>\r\n
5. Expect longer delays on print request fulfillment if best practices outlined above are not met.<\/div>\r\n
6. Users that consistently submit bad geometry or ignore best practices will be required to attend additional consultation sessions before resuming eligibility to request 3D print services.<\/div>\r\n
7. We do not remove brim and support materials for you but you are welcome to use our tools in a reasonable manner.<\/div>\r\n
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For complete details see our3D Printing Policies and Procedures.<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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General Modeling Guidelines for All Printers<\/span><\/h3>\r\n

Keep the following items in mind as you prepare your model for printing:<\/p>\r\n