Employees and students interested in learning how to use UAB’s 3D printers can sign up for one of 10 upcoming training sessions offered by UAB Libraries this spring. 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 session.
“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 April 18; you also can find them on the Campus Calendar.
Introductory 3D Printer Training
- Feb. 6, noon-1:30 p.m., Lister Hill Library Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- Feb. 12, noon-1:30 p.m., LibLab (Sterne Library 112)
- Feb. 21, noon-1:30 p.m., virtual
- March 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LHL Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- March 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., virtual
- April 3, noon-1:30 p.m., LHL Virtual Reality Studio (110)
- April 9, 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m., LibLab (Sterne 112)
- April 18, noon-1:30 p.m., virtual
Introductory SLA 3D Printer Training