3D Printing @ Maynooth University Library

Question:GeWhat’s the differencebetween a‘geek’and a ‘nerd’?

What is 3D printing?

3D printing, also known as “additive manufacturing,” is a method for creating physical objects from digital designs. 3D printers build

objects out of many very thin layers of material; the type of material objects are made from and how the layers are bonded depends on

the type of printer.3D Printing: Making Things at the Library

Matthew B. HoyMedical Reference Services Quarterly

Vol. 32, Iss. 1, 2013

Why should libraries get involved?

“For more than a decade now, higher education has been undergoing a major paradigm shift, moving from teaching to learning as its primary focus. In response, academic libraries have been shifting from an emphasis on housing and archiving print resources to one of directly supporting knowledge

production”

Colegrove, educase review, 2014

What is happening…?

“…the cognitive gain that occurs when we create something new rather than simply repeat knowledge that has already been acquired. They create strong mental models of their world by engaging directly in the process of construction. Learners who produce more than they consume are generally more aware of their own learning processes and can adapt more quickly to changing environments and demands on

their skills”

http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/maker-pedagogy.html

Broader applicability

“Gartner predicts that the 3D printer market will have

revenue growth rates of over 100%, beginning in 2018.

Revenue will grow fastest in enterprise 3D markets, while unit shipments will expand rapidly in the consumer 3D market, with more-low-cost

units driving broader adoption”

Broader applicability

The Maynooth strategy – high level“̍ how to harness the potential of new technologies to enable

greater flexibility and effectiveness in teaching and learning on- and off-campus”

“its commitment to excellence, innovation and collegiality”

“invest in and develop library and information technology services as

critical enablers of our strategic goals”

The Maynooth strategy –library level

• Importance of our service

• Innovation in our service (proactive)

• 3D printing is just another service

• Focus on creativity

• “Innovation is our new service”

What’s the benefit?

• Give users what [we think] they want

• Broadens service provision

• Not all users want books (print or ‘e’)

• Increased traction with academic departments

• Staff views on technology opened up 

and challenged

• Library seen as innovative

• Library as ‘centre for everything’ on campus

You never know a game changer..

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/pc/docs/article/990917/sony_m10.jpghttp://img.gawkerassets.com/img/17m6fje3utekkjpg/original.jpg

…until it’s changed the game

http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/04/09/ipod.png

Time: 47 mins Cost: 27c

33.8 mm

15 mm

25.9 mm Filament: 4 grams / 770mm

Jet PartsRAF Tornado Fighter

Arms for Children16‐year‐old Daniel Omar of Sudan with his prosthetic arm

Football bootsNike Vapor Carbon Elite arm

CarsStrati 

Lost statues in AfghanistanBuddhas of Bamiyan

Skin’n’bonesprint skin and other tissue

SelfiesDOOB 3D Selfies

HousesConcrete and Mud Houses

Children DrawingsCrayon Creatures

JewelleryDesign your own

Soilthe world beneath our feet

Chocolate and other foods`ChefJet 3D Printer

GuitarsCubify Spider Guitar

Neolithic figurinesSeated woman from Koutroulou Magoula, Greece (c. 5500 BC)

“3D printing revolutionises our traditional relationship with cultural heritage. The museum 

visitor and the researcher are both facing unlimited possibilities: Artefacts that could only be seen behind a glass display case can now be touched and felt. At the same time, exact replicas can travel out of the country of origin and thus become accessible to 

researchers across the globe!”Dr Konstantinos Papadopoulos

Postdoctoral Researcher in Digital Humanities

Research

Stereolithography

Extrusion/FDM/FFF

Material

Decision

Decision

Print Policy

Print Policy

“In the Design Innovation course, we currently have access to a 3d printer and the benefits are becoming more and more 

apparent to me as I progress through each module. Having the ability to quickly and cost effectively create a prototype of a concept which clearly communicates ideas to colleagues or end users is a great advantage throughout the innovation 

process. Others now having access to the 3d printer within the library, facilitates an open collaboration between a diversity of people who don't already have access to the technology within 

their respective departments.“Stephen Cullen 

Msc student in Design Innovation 

OPPORTUNITY

The future outlooks for managing 3D printing services in university libraries appear very positive. With careful planning and execution, implementation of a library 3D printing studio can be fantastic opportunity for academic 

libraries worldwide.

A model for managing 3D printing services in academic librariesby Scalfani, Vincent F; Sahib, Josh

Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, 2013, Volume 72