3D Printing

3D Printing is the construction of three-dimensional objects from a CAD (Computer Aided Design) model or digital 3D model using materials like ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). 3D printing has many potential applications in the biomedical field, such as printing laboratory equipment, anatomical and molecular structures, and prototypes. Join this roundtable discussion to learn about different ways 3D printing technology is being used at NIH.

Websites for Free 3D Models to Download

• NIH 3D- Provides free digital models of biomedical and bimolecular structures that are readily compatible with a 3D printer
• Thingiverse- Dedicated for users to share digital designs to download
• Sketchfab- An array of shared downloadable detailed 3D models
• Embodi3D- Resource for 3D Models based on medical scans (bone and muscle)Provides conversion-

3D printing is revolutionizing biomedical research by enabling scientists to engage in creative problem solving, build customized solutions, and develop faster prototypes of their ideas. Join us to learn about the NIH Library's free 3D Printing service and how you can utilize it by printing free online models or designing your own. Participants will understand how 3D printers work and how this technology is being applied at NIH, locate resources for 3D printing software and models, and manipulate shapes to create a basic design using TinkerCAD, a free online tool.

The NIH Library has two professional-level 3D printers: the uPrint SE Plus and Stratasys F270. Both printers use fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology and feature dissolvable supports that are melted away after printing.

Ready to Print? Fill out this form to submit your print request

Model Sizes:  The maximum model must fit within 12 x 10 x 12 inch (308 x 254 x 308 mm)

The NIH Library offers free work-related 3D printing for NIH staff.

Blender is a professional, free and open-source 3D computer graphics software toolset used for creating animated films, visual effects, art, 3D printed models, interactive 3D applications and video games.

Reserve a Workspace

Reserve a workspace to collaborate on a project or explore a variety of licensed and open-source software for 3D printing and modeling, bioinformatics, data visualization, online mapping and spatial data, video production and editing, and web and graphic design. The workspaces are open to NIH staff and are available during library business hours.

Reservations are required for use:

NIH Library librarians are your gateway to the vast array of NIH Library resources, services, and training.  

The orientations are listed on the library's website as they come up. We plan to hold one once a month in 2015. If they have problems registering, they can come to the class and add their name to the bottom of the sign in sheet.

The 3D Printing Service is a self-service and first come first served.

The Replicator 2 has one extruder, one color. We change the rolls of filament at the back to change colors. If you prefer a different color, we can change it, or if we don’t have the desired color, they can bring their own filament and we will put it on. The Replicator 2x has two extruders and can use 2 colors.

Print jobs are saved on an SD card less than 2 GB. If the card is bigger the machine can’t read it. Place the card in the reader and select the print from Build from SD card. If you do not have an 2 GB SD card, you can borrow one for up to 3 days from the Information Desk.

The highest resolution is .1mm. It takes significantly longer to print high resolution and Standard resolution is recommended for most jobs - .2mm.

Average print times are 8-12 hours. Prints running more than 30 hrs are not recommended.

The Makerbot Replicator printers have been in the Library since 2014 and the uPrint SE Plus was implemented in 2016.

At the end of 2014 the library had printed 174 unique prints.

The Makerbots we have were about $2,000.

No, a roll of filament runs about $48 and you can produce 9-10 prints, depending on the size of the jobs. This service is free to NIH staff.

Watch this 4-minute to learn about NIH Library services and resources that are here for you!

Computers (NIH staff)    
Public Access Computer (NIH staff and visitors)    
Remote Access to Specialized Workstations (reservation required)      
Bioinformatics Workstations (reservation required)      

Use Netfabb Basic to make editing, repairing and analysing designs for 3D printing quick and easy. View, repair, and edit .STL files. Analyze and repair files to make models airtight. Make simple adjustments for proper fitting on build plate.

OpenSCAD is a software for creating solid 3D CAD models. It is free software and available for Linux/UNIX, Windows and Mac OS X. Unlike most free software for creating 3D models (such as Blender) it does not focus on the artistic aspects of 3D modelling but instead on the CAD aspects. Thus it might be the application you are looking for when you are planning to create 3D models of machine parts but pretty sure is not what you are looking for when you are more interested in creating computer-animated movies.