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Medbery Makerspace

The Medbery Makerspace is located in 209 Hodges Library

3D Printing @ Hodges

At the Medbery Makerspace in Hodges Library, we take a DIY approach to 3D printing. UT affiliates may have hands-on access to small scale 3D printers after completing a brief certification course. Users learn to work the machines, load filament, and can print STL files. Each semester, individuals are allowed 250g of filament for free. After reaching the quota, users may bring their own, approved type of filament, for use with our printers. 

At Pendergrass Library, UT affiliates may create or download a model and submit the request in STL format via our 3D printing page. Contact Richard Sexton at jsexton@utk.edu with questions, or schedule a virtual consultation using Microsoft Bookings.  You may also supply a link to a downloadable .STL file from a repository such as Thingiverse.

Pendergrass Library offers a wider variety of printer models and capabilities while Hodges Library offers smaller consumer model printers.

3D Printers

3D Printing Software

Software

All of theses softwares are available on our OPEN stations in The Studio, located in Hodges Libraries South Commons, or are accessible in a browser with a free account. Click here to download UT provided software to your computer.

Cheatsheet
Find out what program is right for you using the chart below.
SOFTWARE      

USE

Blender

 Full-featured open-source 3D modeling, sculpting, texturing, material, and animation suite. Moderate learning curve.

Spline

 Web-based 3D modeling and rendering toolkit. Easy learning curve. 
Womp Web-based "fluid" 3D modeling and sculpting toolkit. Easy learning curve. 
Fusion360 Subscription-based CAD drafting and modeling software. Free with .edu email. Hard learning curve. 
Cura Slicer Robust 3D slicing program. Sometimes requires community printer profiles for best performance. Easy learning curve.
Prusa Slicer Powerful open-source 3D slicing program. Designed for Prusa printers, but supports most brands and models. Moderate learning curve.

3D MODELING SOFTWARE

Blender Spline Womp Fusion360
SLICING SOFTWARE
   
PrusaSlicer Cura    

3D Printing Materials

Filament Guide

Some of these filaments are available for printing at Medbery Makerspace. Others are available through a wide variety of online retailers. Please talk to a staff member if you want to print with something other than our in-house filaments. 

Cheatsheet
Find out what filament is right for you using the chart below.
SOFTWARE      

USE

PLA/PLA+

 General-purpose printing filament. Medium durability. Easy to print. In-House Material

nGen

 General-purpose printing filament. High durability. Medium print difficulty. In-House Material
ABS/ASA Weather-resistant printing filament. High durability. High print difficulty. Requires enclosure. Not Supported in Medbery Makerspace
PETG Weather-resistant printing filament. Medium durability. Transparent. Medium print difficulty. 
TPU/TPE Flexible printing filament. Low durability. Rubbery. High print difficulty. 
Nylon Flexible printing filament. High durability. Good for high-wear parts. High print difficulty. Not Supported in Medbery Makerspace
Note Many 3D printer filaments have been developed which combine a base plastic with a wide range of inclusions, such as glow powder, carbon fiber, wood, glass fiber, glitter, and conductive powder. These filaments may be approved on a case-by-case basis, but may not be used without approval from a staff member.