Technology Sandbox: Digital Fabrication Lab

How much does it cost?

• Equipment use and materials are currently free of charge thanks to the generous support of the George I. Alden Trust.
• We strive to remain a free resource for the WIT community. For sponsorship opportunities please contact Kevin Kidd, Director of the Library.

Who can use the Digital Fabrication Lab

• Our services and equipment are only available to current WIT students, faculty and staff.

What equipment is available?

• 3D printers
  • MakerBot Replicator (Fifth Generation)
  • MakerBot Z18 
  • Lulzbot Taz 6
• Carvey Desktop CNC
• MakerBot Digitizer 3D scanner
• Matter and Form 3D Scanner
• Mac workstations with CAD and 3D printing software
• Dremel, pliers, cutters, files for post-processing

What if I have something to print for a class?

• WIT students, faculty, and staff are welcome to use our 3D printers for course-related projects.
• Come by to sign-up for print time as soon as your model is ready to print. The wait-list to use a printer may be long, and we cannot prioritize any particular print job.
• If the success and quality of your print may have an impact on your grade in a class, we strongly recommend that you work with the rapid-prototyping lab for your 3D printing needs. For more information visit http://wit.edu/3d-print. 

Can I send a file and have it printed for me?

• We ask that users come to the sandbox to use the printers. 
• The Rapid Prototyping Lab located in the Manufacturing Center (Williston 001) offers this type of print-on-demand service.
• For more information visit http://wit.edu/3d-print.

Are there additional 3D printers on campus?​

• Architecture students sophomore year and above have access to the 3D printers and other equipment in the Center for Applied Research fabrication labs.
• Accelerate teams have access to 3D printers and other equipment in the Accelerate Makerspace.
• The Rapid Prototyping Lab located in the Manufacturing Center (Williston 001) offers a print-on-demand service. - http://wit.edu/3d-print

Makerbot Printers

1. Download and install Makerbot Print Software on your laptop.*
2. Create or download a 3D model - save or export as .STL
3. Import your .STL file into Makerbot Desktop.
4. Bring your laptop to the Tech Sandbox where we'll work with you to:
   • Review your prepared 3D model for possible printing issues.
   • Check the estimated print time.
5. Based on the estimated print-time we'll sign you up for a date and time to use a printer.
6. Bring your laptop to the Tech Sandbox on the arranged date and time and start your print.

*Don't have a laptop? No problem, we have computers you can use with our printers. Just make sure you can access your .STL file online or bring it on a thumb drive.  

Lulzbot TAZ 6

1. Create or download a 3D model - save or export as .STL
2. Save your .STL file to a thumb drive or make sure you can access it online.
3. Come to the Tech Sandbox - We'll work with you to:
   • Review your prepared 3D model for possible printing issues.
   • Check the estimated print time.
4. Based on the estimated print-time we'll sign you up for a date and time to use a printer.
5. Come to the Tech Sandbox on the arranged date and time and start your print.

Carvey Desktop CNC

1. Read the documentation 
2. Source your own material. We recommend Blick or Inventables.com. (The Tech Sandbox does not provide material for the Carvey)
3. Create or download a 2D vector graphic file. (.svg is a good option)
4. Come to the Tech Sandbox and we'll help you with the rest.