3D Printing

Use this page for printer limits, file prep, and submission guidance before sending a job to the event print team.

We expect a shared bank of fast Bambu Lab printers to be available throughout the event. They are ideal for brackets, mounts, sensor holders, adapters, and other small custom parts that benefit from quick iteration.

These are X1E printers.

These are P1S printers.

Step 1

Design

Use the CAD & 3D Printing Guide below to prepare a printable part and export the right file type.

Step 2

Upload

Upload your .3mf, .stl, or .step file to the public folder with a clear team filename.

Step 3

Confirm in Person

Go to the 3D printing area, tell a technician your student ID, and wait for confirmation.

Printer Limits

Build Volume

About 256 × 256 × 256 mm maximum.

Recommended Size

Aim for parts under 200 × 200 mm when possible.

Accepted Files

Use .3mf, .stl, or .step in the public upload folder.

Typical timings for event-day parts:

Part size	Typical print time
Small parts under 100 mm	30 to 60 minutes
Medium parts up to 200 mm	1 to 2 hours
Large parts near build limits	3 to 4 hours or more

Design Guidance

• Use 3D printing where you actually need custom geometry: brackets, spacers, wheel adapters, mounts, clips, and sensor fixtures.
• Keep structural designs simple. A robot chassis often comes together faster with provided sheet material, stock parts, or repurposed packaging than with a large print.
• Design for fit and rework. Small printable modules are easier to test, replace, and reprint than one large all-in-one component.
• Pick material and wall thickness for function, not appearance. Strength, stiffness, and weight matter more than cosmetic finish during the event.

Technicians may refuse or defer prints that are oversized, poorly prepared, unsafe, or likely to block the printers for too long.

CAD & 3D Printing Guide

Start here if you need a refresher on modelling, slicing, supports, or exporting the right file type.

Uploading Your Files

Upload files to the public Google Drive folder in a slicable format: .3mf, .stl, or .step.

Use a clear filename such as:

studentid_groupname_printnumber

Examples:

11374538_aicamera3_01.3mf
11374477_rover5_02.stl

This makes it easier for the print team to track multiple uploads across teams and time slots.

Open Upload Folder

Upload your .3mf, .stl, or .step file to the public Google Drive folder before speaking to a technician.

Submitting Your Print In Person

1. Head to the 3D printing area of the Makerspace near the inventory area.
2. Tell a technician your student ID and any important details about the part.
3. Wait for confirmation or feedback before assuming the print has been accepted.

Print times vary, and the print team may ask you to revise the part, reduce scale, or come back later if the printers are too busy.

Getting Help

If you are unsure whether something should be printed, ask the print team or a supervisor before sending it. Use Floorplan for location guidance.