[The guy was James Kite – JH]
using the MLK system:
–> 20 day waiting period
–> STL files submitted to their online webform ( http://dclibrary.org/node/36592) have to be 12mb (can be larger if submitted in person with a usb)
–> up to their discretion to not print things if deemed inappropriate
–> machines they have: makerbot replicator 2 and cube x 10
–> maker bot replicator 2 scale limitations= 11.2 wide x 6.0 deep x 6.1 tall
–> cube x = roughly a 10-inch cube
things to consider:
–> can experiment/tamper with infill percentage, temperature that the machine prints at, print speed, etc
–> Z-GAP: distance between the print plate and the extruder (high z gap = more space between layers)
–> “INFILL PERCENTAGE” aka how dense is the filling material inside your object 0%= hollow ( if not hollow, the structure created inside is either diagonals or a honeycomb pattern)
–> RESOLUTION= layer thickness (standard is .25mm– the more detail per layer, the more possible “imperfections”, with a lower resolution you loose detail, but that results in an overall “smoother” finish.)
–> finished products can be altered in hot water or a deluded acetone bath
–> they use “makerware” to view/ alter STL files for printing on the makerbot
–> “make it now” fx can result in interesting deformations
–> OVERHANG: objects w/ a lot of overhang can result in interesting deformations. the machine can adapt to about a 45 degree increase per level without sagging. there is an “auto support” fx on the software that adds a bit of material to help maintain the structure of the piece, but this can be turned off.
