3d Printing

The Taunton Public Library owns one Ender 3 Pro, and one Ender 5 plus for our patrons’ projects. Staff are available to assist all patrons in design and printing of projects. For information about programs and/or workshops, visit our Facebook or send us an email at tpl3dprints@gmail.com.

The TPL uses Tinkercad, a free, web-based computer-aided design platform created by Autodesk.

  • Tinkercad accounts can be created for children and adults, but if the user is under 13 years of age, tinkercad requires a credit card to be attached to the account. They will not charge the credit card; this is to comply with child internet safety legislation.
  • New users are shown short video tutorials and given tasks to complete to acquaint themselves with the application.

For more fun 3D printing projects developed by staff, visit the TPL’s Reference department.

The machine is regularly available for patron print jobs outside of these workshops. Patrons may send their projects to the Reference Department for printing at any time, following the guidelines listed below.  We make use of 3 different filaments: PLA plus, PETG, and TPU. For more information on these filaments, please send us an email/message.

  1. Once you have completed your design in Tinkercad, or downloaded your project from an outside source, export or download the file and save in .STL format. If you do not wish to build a file, but would like to find one that is already available, you may use websites such as thingiverse, Etsy, or Printables
  2. Downloading files off the internet always poses a hazard, be sure to always check all files for any viruses and/or malware before downloading. The TPL is not responsible for any harm done to any computer from a downloaded file. 
  3. Deliver the file to the library via USB flash drive or email the file to tpl3dprints@gmail.com. You can also send us a file via Facebook Messenger, or have us source a file by describing the nature of what you would like to have printed. 
  4. Let us know what color you would like the design to be printed in, and a second-choice color. Get a list of current available colors by emailing  tpl3dprints@gmail.com, or sending us a message on our Facebook
  5. 3D prints are completely free, however, print times may vary based on color of the object, and size.
  6. Library staff will reach out when your design is finished. You can also see what is on our printers at any given time by asking us for a live link.

Please note that patrons are not permitted to operate the 3D Printers under any circumstances. If you would like to observe the print as it goes, you may make arrangements with the Reference staff to do so. The Library will not print inappropriate or dangerous objects. Please read the Library’s policy on 3D Printing before sending files to print.