Prototyping - 3D Printing and Laser Cutting

Definition:

Securing funding for your product idea becomes much easier once you're able to demonstrate a working prototype to your potential investors.

3D Scanning – so that you can start by building off of existing designs
3D Modeling – short lessons that let you develop your product just the way you want it
3D Printing – make your idea a reality by turning your model into a physical object
Laser Cutting/Engraving – build your prototype out of materials like wood, acrylic, or paper/cardboard by cutting it out, or put the finishing touches on glass or metal with a custom engraving.

How is it used:
- We hope you come up with new and inventive uses, but past success stories include:
  - Packaging redesigns such as 3D scanning a Lay's Stax can and modeling/printing new variants
  - Creating "place holders" that weren't functioning prototypes, but helped investors to envision the future product
  - 3D printing a helmet concept which monitors impact strength and tells you right away if you may have received a concussion
Where: There is a 3D printing lab at the BYU campus Library in Provo Utah
- You can find us on Level 2 in the central portion of the library (directly below Circulation) Map https://floormaps.lib.byu.edu/#2423 We're open 8 AM to 9 PM Monday-Thursday, 8 AM to 6 PM Friday, and 10 AM to 2 PM Saturday. For exceptions to regular hours see https://lib.byu.edu/about/hours/exceptions Contact us by phone at 801-422-2987 or email at sciencehelp@byu.edu
Why:
- All our services that don't use consumables are free such as 3D scanning and modeling classes. Professional-grade modeling software is free to students and can be downloaded to Macs or PCs. 3D printing is cheaper than any commercial provider we have seen.

3D Scanning:
- Objects with flat colors don't scan as well as those with variation
- Shiny objects don't scan well unless we can put talcum powder on them
- Our printers work by building layer upon layer. Each layer is .2 mm high, so layers are visible to the naked eye. The most narrow a single bead of plastic can be is .6mm wide so very narrow objects don't print well. There are many more intricacies involved with making your job print well, we're happy to consult with you if you come in and talk with us.
- Plan ahead because this is a popular service and we would hate for you to not meet your deadline because you didn't get put into the queue soon enough.

Please read our detailed guide to 3D printing http://guides.lib.byu.edu/3Dprinting For other services contact us (contact information under Uses/Where)