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 LibraryMatthew B. Hoy 

Medical 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”

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.jpg

http://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

How does 3D Printing work

Jet PartsRAF Tornado Fighter

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

Football boots

Nike Vapor Carbon Elite arm

CarsStrati

Lost statues in AfghanistanBuddhas of Bamiyan

Skin’n’bonesprint skin and other tissue

SelfiesDOOB 3D Selfies

HousesConcrete and Mud

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)

Research

Stereolithography

Extrusion/FDM/FFF

Material

Print Policy

Print Policy

“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

“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