At the Library 1/2/25

3D Printers: 
A Glimpse into the Past, Present, and Future of Manufacturing 

After this brief article, stay tuned to see how YOU can utilize the 3D printers at the Washington Public Library’s MakeIT Place.

What Are 3D Printers?

3D printers are devices that create three-dimensional objects by building them layer by layer from a digital design. This process is called additive manufacturing, as opposed to traditional subtractive methods, where material is removed from a larger block to form the object. 3D printers are used in various industries, from prototyping to manufacturing, and they have revolutionized fields like medicine, automotive, aerospace, and even fashion.

Filament vs. Resin Printers: What’s the Difference?

There are two main types of 3D printers based on the material they use: filament printers and resin printers.

• Filament Printers (FDM/FFF): These are the most common and accessible types of 3D printers. They work by feeding a plastic filament (usually PLA, ABS, or PETG) through a heated nozzle, which melts the filament and deposits it layer by layer to build up the object. Filament printers are popular for their affordability, ease of use, and the wide range of materials available. They are often used for creating prototypes, models, and functional parts.

                                 

• Resin Printers (SLA/DLP): Resin printers use a liquid resin that is cured layer by layer using UV light. In SLA (Stereolithography) printers, a laser solidifies the resin, while in DLP (Digital Light Processing) printers, a digital light projector is used. Resin printers tend to produce higher resolution and finer details compared to filament printers, making them ideal for creating intricate designs, jewelry, dental molds, and miniatures. However, resin printers are often more expensive, require more post-processing, and the resins can be more hazardous to handle.

                                         

Past, Present, and Future Uses of 3D Printing

• Past: 3D printing originated in the 1980s, with the first patent for a 3D printing process filed by Charles Hull in 1986. Initially, the technology was primarily used for rapid prototyping in industries like automotive and aerospace, enabling designers to create models quickly and test functionality. These early printers were costly and limited in scope, but they laid the foundation for the massive growth of the technology.

• Present: Today, 3D printing has expanded far beyond prototyping. It is used in fields such as healthcare, where medical professionals print prosthetics, orthotics, and even bioprinted tissues.  Even pets are benefitting from 3D printed prosthetics! In construction, large-scale 3D printers are used to build homes and buildings. The technology is also transforming the manufacturing sector by allowing for customized parts, reducing waste, and enabling more sustainable production practices. In consumer markets, 3D printing has found a niche in areas like home crafting, small-scale production, and educational tools.

                                      

• Future: The future of 3D printing holds even more exciting possibilities. In medicine, bioprinting could revolutionize organ transplants by creating functional tissues or even organs from a patient’s own cells. In space exploration, NASA is already experimenting with 3D printing tools and habitats using materials found on Mars. Additionally, 3D printing could lead to more sustainable manufacturing processes by reducing the need for mass production and logistics. The potential for printing food, clothing, and even human cells presents a fascinating glimpse of a world where 3D printing is integral to everyday life.  

3D printers are transforming the way we create and interact with the world around us. Whether through the everyday use of filament printers for hobbyists or the high-precision capabilities of resin printers in industrial applications, 3D printing continues to push the boundaries of innovation. As technology evolves, we can expect to see even more groundbreaking uses that will change industries and improve lives in ways we can only begin to imagine.

Netflix offers an interesting docuseries called, “The Future Of…” with several episodes pertaining to 3D printers' future expectations and how it will become a household appliance just like microwaves.  See for yourself! 

How YOU can utilize the 3D printers at the 

Washington Public Library’s MakeIT Place.

“The MakeIT Place has a Prusa i3 MK4 3D printer, an AnyCubic Vyper 3D printer and an Elegoo Pro resin printer for public use. Users can download model files from popular 3D communities such as Printables (https://www.printables.com/), (free files!) Thingiverse (https://www.thingiverse.com/) and Yaggi or can create models from scratch with free programs like Tinkercad (https://www.tinkercad.com/) and SketchUp.  There will be a cost per gram of PLA plastic for the filament printers and a charge for resin for the Elegoo resin printer.”  (WPL MakeIT Place Page) 

There is ZERO cost in using the 3D printers!  The cost is for materials only.

Currently, filament is $.10 cents per gram, and resin is $.25 per ml plus $2.00 base charge. 

The WPL 3D Printing Page shows you our specific printers and then there is a button to fill out a 3D Print request form.  Once we receive the request, we call and verify the request details and give an approximate timeline of completion.  Patrons may arrange a time to come watch the printing process in collaboration with staff schedules.  

Come to the Washington Public Library to check out the MakeIT Place and see what all it has to offer!  Quick Tours are offered every Tuesday at 5:30pm and Thursdays at noon.  Alternate times are available by appointment!  See you soon.

Ready Set  MakeIT 

At the Library 12/26/24

 

Set Your Goals for 2025 with the Bite-Size Book Club!

by Tammy Valentine

     With 2025 heading our way fast, people are making new year’s resolutions and setting goals. There are few things as satisfying as setting goals, except accomplishing them. And time seems to be the limiting factor.

     To help you with those goals, the Bite Size Business Book Club will be reading Cal Newport’s book, Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.  It seems burnout has almost become the norm but this book will show us how we can still strive to reach those goals without dropping from exhaustion. If you want to make improvements in your life with a little support from friends join us.   We will meet on January 14^th to discuss the introduction and chapters 1, 2 and 3.  On January 28^th we will discuss chapters 4 and 5. These “bite size” discussions are a great way to engage with the material without being overwhelmed!

    With time being short for everything I have found audiobooks to be a great help. Using Libby, daily, I have “read” many more books than I would have had time to actually read. And I have to share an audiobook that I recently finished. The title is The Rainbow Comes and Goes by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt.  This book is great for several reasons. One reason it is so good is that the authors are mother and son speaking about their relationship through letters. Another great feature is that each author reads their part. There is something so special about listening to an author tell their story. 

    Don’t forget to check out the event calendar for the Sci-Fi book club and the What are you reading book club!

    

At the Library 1219/24

 Create Your Own Podcast at the WPL!

John Flannery records with hosts Alison Greiner 
& LeAnn Kunz on "Tell Us Your Story".

by Alison Greiner

    Have you ever considered creating a podcast?  Maybe you would like to record or create your own composition.  Would you like to record yourself reading a story?  These are just a few examples of using the new recording studio in our MakeIT Space.  

    We are fortunate to have some of the best technology available in our studio. The Rodecaster Pro is an easy-to-use, all-in-one recording device.  It can be used for podcasting, streaming, gaming, and music production. Included are 4 Rode PodMic Podcasting Microphones, 4 Rode PSA1 professional Microphone Arms, and 4 Rode Professional Headphones.  We also have the new MPK Mini Plus Keyboard, which can be used to create all different kinds of sounds in your composition.  The compact and lightweight VIXIA HF G70 4K camcorder offers high-quality 4K UHD video, a Canon 20x optical zoom lens, advanced autofocus, slow and fast motion recording, and HD live streaming. We also have 2 Rode wireless Go II microphones and 2 PreSonus studio speakers.  This technology will allow you to be creative in so many different ways and share it with the world. 

    You won’t have to feel overwhelmed using the recording studio, either.  Craig McClenahan, a local musician and teacher, teaches Audio 101 classes in our studio twice a month.  This class will introduce the Rodecaster Pro and the basics of using the space.  Make sure you are checking out our newsletter and events calendar so you can register for our next class. 

You can learn more about our recording studio by clicking on this link or stopping and asking at the library desk.  We would be happy to help you get to using the space. https://www.washington.lib.ia.us/services/makeit-place/recording-studio 

    I have been so excited to create a library podcast with LeAnn Kunz in the recording studio. Our podcast is called “Tell Us Your Story.”  Our hope is that we can keep the stories and memories of Washington alive by interviewing those who have been a part of that history. LeAnn and I have enjoyed learning more about creating a podcast and all of the details that go into it. Most importantly, we enjoyed the interview process and talking to fellow Washingtonians. You can listen to our podcast by clicking on this link.  https://open.spotify.com/show/4NU0sGjaizfCBhZ7qBftHl

Harold Frakes records his story 
on "Tell Us Your Story" podcast

                                   

    If you like it, we would love to have you like, subscribe, and share it with your friends. We hope to see you using the recording studio and your creative talents soon!  Who knows, you could be the next viral sensation, and we can say it all started right here in the Washington Public Library!

At the Library 12/12/24

     

    Noon Year's Eve is a WPL Tradition

Ballon drop at the WPL during Noon Year's Eve.

by Jenisa Harris

    Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. It’s so magical with the beautiful lights,

decorations, and family traditions. We are so lucky to live in a community that provides so 

many fun holiday events to celebrate and make memories with you friends and family. Some 

that can become part of your holiday traditions for years to come. I am so excited to be able 

to host Noon Year's Eve again this year on Tuesday, December 31 from 11 am to noon.

    Noon Year’s Eve is a family friendly party! Free and open to all! You can count down to the

Noon Year without staying up late! We will have games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals,

snacks and a balloon drop to ring in the Noon Year!

Kurt and Debi Hanson celebrate with their
grandson during Noon Year's Eve 2018.

    I hope that our Noon Year’s Eve party with be one of your favorite holiday traditions!

Countdown to noon for the annual ballon drop.

At the Library 12/5/24

It's Cozy Reading Season!

by Mia Schrock

    As the end of the year approaches, many of us are looking at our resolutions and realizing we may not have made as much progress as we'd hoped. One of my goals this year was to read 20 books—a target that, at the start of 2024, felt achievable. But with a busy schedule, I’ve fallen behind. Now, with winter around the corner, I’m determined to catch up. If you’re in the same boat, The Washington Public Library is the perfect place to help you reach your reading goals.

    As the days get colder and darker, there’s no better time to curl up with a good book. Winter provides the perfect excuse to set aside time for reading. If you’re finding it hard to fit books into your schedule, try setting a daily reading goal—just 20 minutes in the morning or before bed. Small, consistent reading sessions will help you make steady progress.

    One of the features I love about the library is its easy-to-navigate system of genre stickers. Whether you're in the mood for romance, mystery, sci-fi, or something seasonal, these colorful labels help you quickly find books that match your interests. For example, look for books with winter or holiday-themed stickers to fit the season, or explore new genres outside your usual picks, like historical fiction or westerns. With these genre markers, you’ll spend less time searching and more time reading the books you’ll love.    

    The library also offers plenty of tools to help you meet your reading goal. In addition to physical books across a variety of genres, you can access thousands of e-books and audiobooks through Libby, which you can read or listen to while traveling to a family member’s house for the holidays or preparing your own home for the season.

    The year may be winding down, but it’s not too late to reach your reading goal. Whether you're looking for the perfect book or need motivation to keep going, the Washington Public Library is full of resources to help you finish strong. So, visit us, find a book that sparks your interest, and make the most of this cozy reading season.