3D Printing Service
Our 3D Printing Service offers a wide range of laboratory accessories available through the Chemistry Stores, as well as the opportunity to customize and develop specific solutions for researchers. This initiative has proven itself as an alternative to conventional lab accessory procurement with its adaptability, cost-saving and sustainable attributes. While priority is given to the Department of Chemistry, this 3D Printing Service is available for faculty, staff and students from across campus.
We are located in the basement of the Gunning Lemieux Chemistry Centre, as part of the Technical Services Group (WB-66). We look forward to seeing you there and discussing your 3D printing needs. You can also send an email to chem3d@ualberta.ca.
Follow these links to find lab accessories developed over the last few years by Serge Nader and the 3D Printing Service, or by visiting the Chemistry Stores where these items are on display.
To promote the use of pre-existing university infrastructure, our 3D printer is hosted by The Shack.
Photo credit: Shereen Abohussain
Acknowledgement:
In the event where our services help you publish your research, or are part of your published work (designs, 3D models, prototypes, experimental accessories, …) please acknowledge our funding source by citing the following:
“Supported (in part) by the University of Alberta Campus Sustainability Grant Program (ID# 10-202305 to Dr. Serge Nader)”
Frequently Asked Questions
When it comes to material choice, we try to keep a small stock of different materials on hand. As long as the material is available for our printer (Ultimaker S7) we should be able to print with it. We usually have Tough PLA, PETG, ABS, PC, CPE+ and TPU 95A. Send us an email to discuss your options, or to ask about the appropriate material for your application.
It depends on the material of choice. Not all colours are available for higher-end polymers.
Yes, we can. Send us an email, or come see us, so we can have a look together as some designs may be flawed and need adjustments. We reserve the right to refuse the printing of any object that we deem inappropriate or not in alignment with university policies or code of student behaviour.
As with other support services, our goal is to assist with research and education with the understanding that grant money is a precious resource. Our pricing policy ensures that we can self-sustain, mainly the procurement of raw material, and covers maintenance costs when needed. Send us an email if you have a specific project in mind and require a cost estimation.
When buying lab accessories from the SNADER series through the Chemistry Stores or ordering a custom job from the Technical Services Group you pay through your research and PI grants (work order and order requisition forms available on site). If you would like to pay with your own money, let us know and we can arrange for a pickup from the Chemistry Undergraduate Stores (W1-22 Chemistry Centre) where you can pay by card.
The printer’s build volume is 330 x 240 x 300 mm (13 x 9.4 x 11.8 inches). In most instances, breaking a big design into smaller interlocking parts is the best way to deal with large and time-consuming prints.
In terms of layers, or Z-axis, we can select any of the following (0.06mm, 0.1mm, 0.15mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm). This choice will dictate the resolution of the vertical features on the printed object. When it comes to printing nozzles, we currently have 0.4 mm and 0.2 mm print cores. These dimensions affect the resolution in the XY plane. It is important to note that for some materials, a smaller nozzle cannot be used. Keep in mind that the quality of your print depends on the 3D design and material choice. Printing with the highest resolution is not a requirement for a high-quality print.
Yes. Even though we prioritize work related to research or education, we can print other objects when time permits. We reserve the right to refuse the printing of any object that we deem inappropriate or not in alignment with university policies or code of student behaviour.
Depending on the size, supports, and how intricate a design is, a print can take minutes or hours. Lengthy prints are sent overnight while short prints are sent during the day. Depending on the production queue, you can expect your item to be done within a day or two, to a week. This time estimation does not take into consideration design time.