All Durham County Library locations and services will be closed Monday, February 2, due to inclement weather.
Maker + STEAM is excited to announce that our 3D printers are here! Check the Maker + STEAM 3D printing page for more info including some new printing procedures.

3D printing

Create physical 3D models from digital files with printers that melt and extrude plastic layer-by-layer.

Durham County Library has Bambu H2S 3D printers. For more information and specifications about these printers, please visit the product website.

Want to 3D print or learn more about it? We have 3 ways for you to access our 3D printing trainings:

We are excited to share that our new Bambu H2S printers are now available to use! Read below for new procedures. Much of the procedures for using these are the same as our old 3D printers, with a few key changes you will need to make when slicing and uploading your 3D files.

When slicing a print, you will see a few additional slicing options from what we had before. Most of the time the default settings will suffice (click image for a larger view).

A screenshot of 3DPrinterOS slicer settings for the new Bambu 3D printers showing infill, support options, and more.

Do not change the Plate Type from the default.

Supports will be on “Tree” type by default as they’re easy to remove. If you have large, flat areas that need supports, change support type from the drop-down menu to “Normal.”

When you click “Queue,” select one of the patron printers available. To see which colors are in each printer, hover over the grayed note to expand the note to see which colors of filament are currently available in each slot. While you can still only use one color of filament per file, you now have 4 options per printer! Click “Queue.”

A screenshot showing how to find the color options in the note next to the 3D printer name. If this text does not show up in text readers, please email Maker_STEAM@dconc.gov for color options.

On the next screen, select which color you would like from the PLA dropdown menu. Then click “Queue” (not “Skip & Queue”) on that screen.

A screenshot showing the dropdown menu for PLA filament color options before queuing a 3D print.

Your print should now be uploaded to the queue!

Once the print is done, you’ll receive an automatic email from 3DPrinterOS like before. Please remember to wait for an email from the Maker + STEAM team letting you know your print has been checked for success, processed, and ready for you to pick up.

A massive thank you to the Durham Library Foundation for their support via a grant to obtain these 3D printers!

Usage procedures

Printable procedures (PDF)

Design creation

  • Objects must not violate the Library’s Technology Policy.
  • Model files must not be larger than the dimensions of the printer.
    Bambu H2S 3D printer – 340mm W x 320mm L x 340mm H bedsize (about 13″ x 12.5″ x 13″)
  • The maximum weight for a 3D print is 300 grams.

Submitting a model in 3DPrinterOS

  • You must be 13 years of age or older or use a parent’s account with permission.
  • Pricing of your object is $0.10/gram of PLA filament.
  • You can have a maximum of 2 items queued at one time.
  • You must have an active Durham County Library card / account. Include your library card number as a note on your object.
  • Staff review all project files, so please submit appropriate objects.
  • Staff reserve the right to refuse to print any item.

Final product

  • Please allow 1-2 weeks for your object to be printed. Wait times may vary.
  • Library staff are not responsible for the outcome of your print.
  • Objects will be printed in whatever filament color is available.
  • The cost for your object will be charged to your library account.
  • You must pay for your print before picking it up.
  • You must wait for an email from a Maker + STEAM staff member before picking up (NOT the automated email from 3DPrinterOS).
  • Object must be picked up within 7 days of receiving an email from Maker + STEAM staff.

What if my project doesn’t come out the way I wanted it?

We will work with you to determine the best resolution for your project. We can’t guarantee how your project will turn out, however. You are responsible for all costs associated with using the equipment or materials. Fees are non-refundable once they have been paid from your account.

Procedures governing the use of the Library’s 3D printers are subject to change. If you have any questions, please contact the Maker + STEAM Team at Maker_STEAM@dconc.gov.

3D printing technology policy

Durham County Library is committed to bridging the digital divide and making technologies like 3D printing available to our community. Durham County Library 3D printers cannot be used to do the following:

  1. Create items that are not allowed by local, state or federal law.
  2. Create items that are in violation of Durham County and Durham County Library policies.
  3. Create items that are unsafe, harmful, or pose a threat to others.
  4. Create items that are obscene, vulgar, or inappropriate.
  5. Create items that are in violation of intellectual property rights.

3D prints will be reviewed by Durham County Library staff prior to print, and the Library reserves the right to refuse any print file submitted. Durham County Library assumes no responsibility for faulty prints that are a result of incorrectly constructed 3D print files by the customer. Durham County Library staff will print the file as submitted. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure the file for their 3D object fits within the Durham County Library 3D printer size specifications.

The Durham County Library cannot assure privacy or security of 3D prints, and assumes no responsibility for any damages, direct or indirect, that may occur from the use of a 3D printed object.

See our full Technology Policy >