Community Corner

3D Printing Now at the Mountain View Public Library

Learn to make three-dimensional objects.

Who said Americans don't produce anything?

The Mountain View Public Library will be a buzz with its newest acquisition—a Makerbot 3D printer. The printer, which can get preloaded with software of  the objects to make, was made possible by a $15,000 grant received from the Pacific Library Partnership.

Click on the image to see a time lapsed video of the Makerbot at work. Click on the video to learn more about the printer.

"The technology is about 20 years old, but now prices have come down and people want to start making things at home," said Paul Sims, library services manager.

The printer cost the MVPL $2,300 and Sims purchased stools of biodegradable corn-based plastic. He also made sure to get insurance for the printer. The rest of the grant money will go toward other STEAM projects (science, technology, engineering, arts and math).

To be sure, hardly anyone can boast having a 3D printer at home or the office and that's why Sims felt it important for the library to have one—it gives the public the opportunity to learn about this technology.

"It's a big deal, if you think about it from an economical shift and cultural shift it will allow them to manufacture things on their own," Sims said. "Allows them to make things at home."

The kind of things people can make include chopsticks, nuts and bolts, combs, hair clips even chess or checker pieces. There are websites like Thingiverse. Objects can take anywhere between from 11 minutes to several hours depending on the size, density and resolution of the object.

But many other things, including large-scale structures made from stainless steel or concrete are possible, Sims added.

Sims explained that currently the 3D printer is being demonstrated at the library.

"The library is about community, exploring and life-long learning and we provide the tools, which right now are books, movies and music," Sims said. "[3D printers] aren't available to everybody, so why not democratize and and make it so."

On Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30, Mountain View Public Library presents a 3D Printing Open House. Learn about this exciting technology, how it is evolving, its, impact on the landscape of manufacturing, and society at large.

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