Using the equipment

Using the 3D printers and laser cutter

• Certification sessions for 3D printers and laser cutter are posted on OPL’s Programs and events page
• Customers can register for these sessions just like any other OPL program
• Customers cannot use the 3D printers or laser cutter without having this certification
• Customers may supply their own materials for laser cutting, which must be vetted and approved by Imagine Space employees. List of approved laser cutter materials.
• Objects can be painted.
• 3D objects printed on the Makerbot Replicator 2 5th Generation can be printed up 9.9” W x 7.8” D x 5.9” H in size, or smaller

Customer agreement

• Customers must sign an agreement in order to use the 3D printers or laser cutter. The signed agreement must be returned to employees in the Imagine Space.
• Customers agree to:
  • follow the OPL Customer Code of Conduct
  • work responsibly
  • not infringe copyright or intellectual property rights
  • not create weapons
• Customers agree to waive liability and accept responsibility for injury and damage to equipment
• Parent/guardian must sign the agreement for all customers under the age of 18
• Parent/guardian must be trained, sign, accompany, and be the sole person using deemed potentially hazardous equipment for all customers under the age of 13
• The agreement is only a requirement if using potentially hazardous equipment, not if using other equipment (i.e. computers)

Booking equipment

• Customers can book 3D printers, laser cutter and Mac Pro computers online 
• Customers may reserve equipment up to 1 (one) month in advance from the current day
• Customers are allowed a maximum of 2 (two) hours of equipment use per day
• Customers may have a maximum of 2 (two) bookings per week, and 4 (four) bookings per month
• Customers may not reserve multiple pieces of equipment simultaneously
• Customers will need their valid Library card to book equipment
• Customers cannot use the 3D printer or laser cutter without taking a certification course
• Unbooked equipment may also be used on a drop-in basis
• Customers must log on within the first 5 minutes of a scheduled booking or the booking will be cancelled
• The last time slots of the day, booked for the laser cutter or 3D printer, must end no later than 30 minutes before closing.

Borrowing equipment

• Customers may borrow video cameras, 3D scanners, and other small equipment on a first come, first served basis
• Customers can borrow equipment for a maximum of 2 (two) hours a day, and the borrowing period can be renewed
• There will be a $5/hour late fee charge
• Can be taken out of the room but not out of the Nepean Centrepointe branch
• If items are not returned, some fees can amount to up to $3,000
• Customers must be 18 years or older
• Customers must have their Library card, which must be in good standing, as well as a valid photo ID, that must be left in the Imagine Space during use

Saving your information

• Customers must supply their own USB stick, external hard drive, or save to the cloud if they want to keep any files

Printing and rendering

• The software will estimate the amount of time for print jobs/video renders to complete
• Customers must advise an OPL employee if this estimate exceeds their 2 (two) hour/day limit