Berkshire Athenaeum Unveils New 3D Printer
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| On Wednesday, the library unveiled its new Prusa Original XL. |
PITTFIELD, Mass. – The Berkshire Athenaeum has a new 3D printer for its community to enjoy.
On Wednesday, the library unveiled its new Prusa Original XL. The printer was donated by the Trustees of the Berkshire Athenaeum to help bring an updated version from their other one purchased in 2015.
Tom Jorgenson, adult services and programming librarian, has been working with the printer for a couple of months to get ready to bring it to those who use the library.
"The big motivation for it, or for 3D printing at the library in general, is that it's a tool, a piece of technology that most people don't have access to at home, or they don't want to spend the money on it, or they just want to try it out. And so we're providing this like a bunch of technology as a service to the community and a way for folks to develop skills and understanding in 3D printing, and the whole design process associated with it," said Jorgenson.
The new printer is much quieter and can do more than the older version, including more colors, and is faster.
"By getting a new one, we're keeping the library, and we're keeping our patrons up to speed with the latest advances in that technology. So the big thing with this new one is that it's larger, faster, higher quality prints. The biggest visual difference that people will notice is that it can print in multiple colors and multiple materials, and so that just kind of expands the creative possibilities."
He says those with a library card can use the printer for anything besides weapons and nothing too big. He says there are online sites that can help people choose what they might want to do.
"Your imagination is the limit. But where most people start is a collection of designs that other people have made online and shared for anyone to use."
He said many people have come in making toys, or even replacement parts for important things, mentioning during his demonstration of the printer he used it for a replacement part for his toilet once.
"A lot of people just want to make fun toys. There was someone the other day who she and her son were designing this whole story and game based on these like characters that they had come up with, and so she used our 3D printer to make physical representations of these characters. So it can really vary from just like fun toys. To like really practical everyday objects," Jorgenson said.
When he demonstrated the printer, he also demonstrated the scanning portion people can do. With the scanner, people can bring in an object and scan it to have it 3D printed.
He mentioned a person had a stair lift that is no longer being made and had no replacement parts. Jorgenson brought the replacement part in and scanned it with their old printer, showing the printers and 3D scanner are useful for many things besides toys.
He says the best way to use the printer is to contact them ahead of time and sign up for a slot and a time where he can go over what you would like to do to make sure they can do it correctly.
"Having us sit down and go through your project together will help to ensure the best quality possible for your print. But then also will help make sure that the machine itself is utilized appropriately. But there's no cost to it. We're really proud of that."
The library does still have its older printer and will continue to keep it in use.
Adult Services and Programming Supervisor Olivia Bowers says they are looking into having the printer be for the kids and teens so they have one to call their own. While there are no age limits on the printers, she says it would be nice for the kids to have one they can call theirs.
Tags: 3D printing, berkshire athenaeum,
