Employees and students interested in learning how to use UAB’s 3D printers can sign up for one of nine upcoming training sessions offered by UAB Libraries this summer. Completing a training session is required before users can begin printing their own projects — but at just 1.5 hours long and offered both online and in-person, the rewards far outweigh the relatively small time investment, said Technology Labs Manager Patrick Boggs, who leads the training sessions.
“3D printing lets users be creative in so many ways,” Boggs said. “Lots of people print for fun — they make game figurines or intricate pots for plants, things like that — but what’s special about printing at UAB is that we’re uniquely placed to help with research and other campus initiatives.
“Folks at UAB have discovered really unique ways to incorporate 3D-printed items into their projects, like making molds for silicone tools used in heart research, or cases for GPS units the football team uses. The options really are endless.”
Sign up for a training that works for you
During the training, Blazers are given access to printer queues for both Sterne Library and Lister Hill Library 3D printing via 3DPrinterOS. 3DPrinterOS is a cloud-based system that lets users monitor the ongoing print queue to see when printers are available and check the progress of their jobs; several of the 3D printers managed in 3DPrinterOS have cameras attached so users can watch how their prints are coming along. Users also automatically receive a time-lapse video of their items being printed via email once the objects are complete.
Sessions continue through July 22; you also can find them on the Campus Calendar.
Introductory 3D Printer Training
- May 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LibLab @ Lister Hill (110)
- June 11, noon-1:30 p.m., LibLab @ Sterne (112)
- June 20, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., virtual
- June 24, noon-1:30 p.m., LibLab @ Lister Hill (110)
- July 8, 12:30-2 p.m., LibLab @ Lister Hill (110)
- July 18, noon-1:30 p.m., virtual
Introductory SLA 3D Printer Training
- May 28, noon-1:30 p.m., LibLab @ Lister Hill (110)
- June 30, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., LibLab @ Lister Hill (110)
- July 22, 12:30-2 p.m., LibLab @ Lister Hill (110)