Quinn Prewitt, 8, and Thatcher Lyon, 7, look at the fresh 3D prints on a print tray on Wednesday at the Natrona County Library.
Scott Tombroek shows Thatcher Lyon how to manipulate 3D print files in the computer software.
Want to make a prototype or have you found a cool 3D file online? Look no further than the library to print your creations.
The Natrona County Library community makerspace offers patrons the use of two 3D printers. The library offers these services at no cost to the user, and there are a variety of filaments, plastic string, to choose from.
The library offers beginner classes in their usual rotation of events to teach patrons about what 3D printing is and how to get started.
Scott Tombroek is a reference and adult services librarian at the library who ran the beginner event Wednesday.
Tombroek started a print to demonstrate how the machines work while explaining the process for obtaining a printable file.
The first step, according to Tombroek, is to get an “STL” file. These can be found on open-source websites where individuals share their creations or by creating a file to print in a computer-aided-design program.
From there, the STL file is put into a slicer program to convert into instructions for the printer. These instructions are in the form of G-code. The slicer program is also able to add any necessary supports for the print.
Tombroek explained that a 3D printer has a moveable printer head that heats up the plastic string into melted, formable plastic. It then extrudes the melted plastic onto a build plate.
In the time it took Tombroek to explain the process of how to create a 3D print, the machine was done printing seven small stars. Tombroek gave these stars out to the participants.
Kale Prewitt brought his son Quinn Prewitt, 8, to Wednesday’s event.
Quinn saw the event in the library calendar and asked his dad to bring him. Prewitt said that he and his son are interested in using the printers to create prototypes for some inventive ideas they have.
Thatcher Lyon, who is 7 years old, also attended the event. After the event, he was so excited to use the resource that he immediately took one of the sheets to request a file to be printed.
The 3D printers are just one aspect of the makerspace at the library. There are also vinyl-cutting machines, sewing machines, leatherworking tools and laser cutters.
Allison Allsop is the education and health reporter for the Casper Star-Tribune. She can be reached at 307-266-0544 or allison.allsop@trib.com. Her Twitter account is @allisonallsop
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