LibGuides: Makerspace at Napa Valley College: 3-D Printing

Unlock Your Potential with 3D Printing

3D Printing:

3D Printers are designed to support students in bringing their ideas to life through 3D printing technology. Whether you’re in engineering, design, architecture, or any other field that benefits from hands-on creation, 3D printing is an ideal tool to help you turn concepts into real, tangible projects.

How Students Can Use the 3D Printers:

Prototyping: Quickly create prototypes of your designs, allowing you to test and refine your ideas before finalizing them.
Class Projects: Whether you're designing models for engineering assignments, creating architectural structures, or building complex visualizations for a class, the printers give you the flexibility to experiment and produce professional-quality results.
Learning and Experimentation: Explore different materials and design techniques. With a range of compatible filaments, experimenting with everything from basic PLA to advanced materials.
Creative Exploration: For students in fields like art and product design, the printer provides a hands-on way to bring your creative visions to life in 3D form.

What You’ll Get Out of It:

Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience with 3D printing, a valuable skill in many industries, including engineering, product design, and technology.
Improved Project Outcomes: Produce high-quality models and prototypes that can improve the quality of your assignments and give you an edge in your studies.
Skill Development: Learn how to design for 3D printing, troubleshoot issues, and optimize models for better results, skills that are transferable to future careers.
Creative Freedom: With the ability to experiment with different designs and materials, you can push the boundaries of your creativity and tackle complex projects with confidence.

Material (available: PLA & ABS)

Best for: Prototyping, beginners, and low-detail prints.
Properties: Easy to print with, biodegradable, low odor, and available in many colors.

Available colors: True black, black, true white, true red, true green, true blue, warm grey, true yellow, true orange, white, leaf green, Magenta, Natural, fluorescent yellow, silver

Size: 1.75mm

Best for: Functional parts and durable prototypes.
Properties: Strong, heat-resistant, but requires a heated bed for best results.

Available colors: Natural (1.8mm), plastic, Magenta, true blue, green, red, true red, safety orange plastic (1.8mm), true black, light brown, metallic silver, yellow, reactive red

Size: 1.75mm

Best for: Projects requiring durability and flexibility.
Properties: Tough, chemical-resistant, and easy to print, with a glossy finish.

Best for: Strong and flexible parts, mechanical components.
Properties: High strength, wear-resistant, and flexible, but may require a heated bed and dry storage.

Best for: Flexible and elastic parts.
Properties: Rubber-like flexibility, abrasion-resistant, and great for making wear-resistant items like phone cases, seals, and gaskets.

Best for: Functional parts that require durability and good chemical resistance.
Properties: High chemical resistance, impact-resistant, and offers high strength.

Advanced Materials (available: PLA Tough & PVA)

Best for: Lightweight but strong parts, especially for engineering prototypes.
Properties: Adds stiffness, high strength-to-weight ratio, and surface finish.

Best for: High-strength, temperature-resistant parts.
Properties: Extremely strong and impact-resistant, with excellent heat resistance but requires a heated bed and high printing temperatures.

Best for: Supports for complex, overhang-filled prints.
Properties: Water-soluble support material, ideal for creating complex geometries that require support during printing.

Best for: Impact-resistant and functional prototypes.
Properties: Similar to PLA but with enhanced durability and toughness, suitable for making parts that need to withstand more wear and tear.

Best for: High-performance, industrial applications.
Properties: Extremely high strength, chemical resistance, and heat resistance (up to 250°C), but requires specialized hot ends and heated beds.

Best for: Aerospace and high-performance industries.
Properties: High strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, often used for demanding, technical parts.